Shloka 3.52.23

सीताहरण-विलापः / The Lament at Jatāyu and the Abduction of Sītā

Devanagari script

सा हेमवर्णा नीलाङ्गं मैथिली राक्षसाधिपम्।शुशुभे काञ्चनी काञ्ची नीलं मणिमिवाश्रिता।।।।

Transliteration

sā hemavarṇā nīlāṅgaṃ maithilī rākṣasādhipam |

śuśubhe kāñcanī kāñcī nīlaṃ maṇim ivāśritā ||

Translation

Golden-complexioned Maithilī, held by the dark-bodied lord of rākṣasas, shone like a golden girdle resting upon a deep-blue gem.

Context

Golden-complexioned Sita, princess of Mithila, held by the dark-coloured king of the demons, shone like a girdle resting on a dark- blue sapphire.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā (Maithilī)
• Rāvaṇa (rākṣasādhipa)

FAQs

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

The imagery stresses moral contrast: virtue (Sītā’s ‘golden’ purity) stands out even more starkly when placed against adharma (Rāvaṇa’s dark wrongdoing).

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā is physically in Rāvaṇa’s grasp during the aerial abduction; the narrator describes the striking visual contrast between them.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s untainted purity and steadfastness—her radiance is not ‘owned’ by her captor.