Shloka 55

Śrī Rāmacandra-avatāra — Vow, Exile, Laṅkā-vijaya, and Rāma-rājya

Concise Bhāgavata Account

Devanagari script

प्रेम्णानुवृत्त्या शीलेन प्रश्रयावनता सती । भिया ह्रिया च भावज्ञा भर्तु: सीताहरन्मन: ॥ ५५ ॥

Transliteration

premṇānuvṛttyā śīlena praśrayāvanatā satī bhiyā hriyā ca bhāva-jñā bhartuḥ sītāharan manaḥ

Translation

Mother Sītā was submissive, faithful, shy and chaste, ever understanding her husband’s mood. By her character, love, and service, she completely captivated the Lord’s mind.

Synonyms

• प्रेम्णा: with love
• प्रेम्णा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रेमन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण) एकवचन; Instrumental singular (3rd)

• अनुवृत्त्या: by devoted following/obedience
• अनुवृत्त्या: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुवृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन; Instrumental singular (3rd)

• शीलेन: by good conduct
• शीलेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन; Instrumental singular (3rd)

• प्रश्रय: by humility/respect
• प्रश्रय: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रश्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद); Instrumental singular used as first member

• अवनता: bowed down, humble
• अवनता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अवनत (कृदन्त, √नम् धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; Past passive participle used adjectivally; Nominative singular (1st)

• सती: the virtuous woman (Sītā)
• सती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सती (कृदन्त, √अस् धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; Present participle used substantively; Nominative singular (1st)

• भिया: with fear
• भिया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन; Instrumental singular (3rd)

• ह्रिया: with modesty/shame
• ह्रिया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ह्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन; Instrumental singular (3rd)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात; conjunction

• भाव: of feelings/intent
• भाव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद); Genitive singular used as first member

• ज्ञा: knowing, discerning
• ज्ञा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञ (कृदन्त, √ज्ञा धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; agent-noun/participial adjective ‘knowing’; Nominative singular (1st)

• भर्तुः: of (her) husband
• भर्तुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी एकवचन; Genitive singular (6th)

• सीता: Sītā
• सीता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सीता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; Nominative singular (1st)

• अहरत्: stole/removed
• अहरत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √हृ (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (अनद्यतनभूत), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; Imperfect, 3rd person singular, active

• मनः: mind, heart
• मनः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; Accusative singular (2nd)

Purport

As Lord Rāmacandra is the ideal husband ( eka-patnī-vrata ), mother Sītā is the ideal wife. Such a combination makes family life very happy. Yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas tat tad evetaro janaḥ: whatever example a great man sets, common people follow. If the kings, the leaders, and the brāhmaṇas, the teachers, would set forth the examples we receive from Vedic literature, the entire world would be heaven; indeed, there would no longer be hellish conditions within this material world.

Characters & Entities

• Sītāhara

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the qualities of a virtuous wife?

This verse praises loving service, gentle conduct, humility, modesty, and sensitivity to a husband’s feelings as qualities that naturally win the heart and uphold dharma.

Who is speaking this verse in Bhagavata Purana Canto 9?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating the history and character descriptions within the royal dynasties of Canto 9.

How can this teaching be applied in modern family life?

By cultivating respect, humility, emotional sensitivity, and steady good conduct in relationships—qualities that build trust and harmony and support spiritual life within the household.