Shloka 3.45.41

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

Devanagari script

गोदावरीं प्रवेक्ष्यामि विना रामेण लक्ष्मण।

अबन्धिष्येऽथवा त्यक्ष्ये विषमे देहमात्मनः।।3.45.37।।

Transliteration

godāvarīṁ pravekṣyāmi vinā rāmeṇa lakṣmaṇa | abandhiṣye ’thavā tyakṣye viṣame deham ātmanaḥ || 3.45.37 ||

Translation

Without Rāma, O Lakṣmaṇa, I will enter the Godāvarī; or I will hang myself; or, from some perilous height, I will cast off my body.

Context

Self-composed Lakshmana with joined palms saluted her with great reverence.And then, turning towards her again and again, left for Rama.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē araṇyakāṇḍē pañjacatvāriṅśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the fortyfifth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Rāma
• Godāvarī

FAQs

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

Sītā asserts pativratā-dharma (exclusive marital fidelity) so absolutely that life without Rāma seems religiously meaningless to her, even though the speech arises from extreme distress.

What is the narrative situation?

Attempting to force Lakṣmaṇa to go after Rāma, Sītā threatens self-destruction if left without Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Single-minded devotion to one’s spouse (steadfastness), expressed here in a tragic, desperate form.