Shloka 3.52.25

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

Devanagari script

तस्या भूषणघोषेण वैदेह्या राक्षसाधिपः।बभौ सचपलो नीलस्सघोष इव तोयदः।।।।

Transliteration

tasyā bhūṣaṇaghoṣeṇa vaidehyā rākṣasādhipaḥ |

babhau sacapalo nīlaḥ saghoṣa iva toyadaḥ ||

Translation

Because of Vaidehī’s tinkling ornaments, the dark lord of rākṣasas appeared like a rain-cloud—complete with lightning and thunder.

Context

The lord of the demons by the side of Sita, princess of Videha with her jingling ornaments looked like the dark-blue rain-cloud with its lightning and thunder.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā (Vaidehī)
• Rāvaṇa (rākṣasādhipa)

FAQs

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

The verse depicts adharma as a violent storm: wrongdoing gathers force and noise, while the innocent (Sītā) becomes the unwilling ‘lightning’ that reveals the storm’s presence—inviting moral judgment against the perpetrator.

What is the narrative situation?

As Rāvaṇa carries Sītā away, the sound of her ornaments accompanies the motion, prompting a storm-cloud simile for the abductor.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s refined dignity (suggested by ornaments and bearing), contrasted with Rāvaṇa’s turbulent, unrighteous force.