Shloka 3.52.24

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

Devanagari script

सा पद्मगौरी हेमाभा रावणं जनकात्मजा।विद्युद्घनमिवाविश्य शुशुभे तप्तभूषणा।।।।

Transliteration

sā padmagaurī hemābhā rāvaṇaṃ janakātmajā |

vidyudghanam ivāviśya śuśubhe taptabhūṣaṇā ||

Translation

Janaka’s daughter, fair as a lotus and golden-hued, adorned with gleaming ornaments, clung to Rāvaṇa and shone like lightning entering a dark cloud.

Context

Bright like a golden lotus, adorned with gold ornaments, Sita, the daughter of Janaka, held by Ravana, looked like a streak of lightning shining bright in a dark cloud.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa
• Janaka

FAQs

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

Dharma is portrayed as unextinguishable moral light: even when surrounded by darkness (violent adharma), righteousness retains its brilliance and identity.

What is the narrative situation?

In the midst of the abduction, Sītā’s radiant presence is described against Rāvaṇa’s dark, cloudlike menace.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral luminosity and resilience—Sītā’s virtue remains visible, not absorbed by the darkness around her.