Shloka 3.45.30

सीतया लक्ष्मणप्रेषणम् — Sita urges Lakshmana to seek Rama (The crisis of the ‘distressed voice’)

Devanagari script

विमुक्तधर्माश्चपलास्तीक्ष्णा भेदकराः स्त्रियः।न सहे हीदृशं वाक्यं वैदेहि जनकात्मजे।।3.45.30।।श्रोत्रयोरुभयोर्मेद्य तप्तनाराचसन्निभम्।

Transliteration

vimuktadharmāś capalās tīkṣṇā bhedakarāḥ striyaḥ | na sahe hīdṛśaṃ vākyaṃ vaidehi janakātmaje ||3.45.30|| śrotrayor ubhayor medhya tapta-nārāca-sannibham |

Translation

When women abandon dharma, they become fickle, sharp, and wounding. O Vaidehī, daughter of Janaka, I cannot bear such words—piercing both ears like red-hot arrows.

Context

Women devoid dharma are fickle and inconsistent. They use sharp, piercing words. O daughter of Janaka, O princess from Videha, your words pierce my ears like red-hot darts.I cannot tolerate them.

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• Sītā (Vaidehī, Janakātmajā)
• Janaka
• Videha

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Speech can violate dharma when it becomes injurious; the verse underscores how words can wound like weapons and should be governed by restraint and truth.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakṣmaṇa reacts strongly to Sītā’s harsh suspicions, describing the pain her words cause him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sensitivity to adharma in speech: Lakṣmaṇa insists that accusatory, cutting words are intolerable and morally corrosive.