Shloka 3.52.31

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

Devanagari script

तां महोल्कामिवाकाशे दीप्यमानां स्वतेजसा।जहाराऽकाशमाविस्य सीतां वैश्रवणानुजः।।।।

Transliteration

tāṃ maholkām ivākāśe dīpyamānāṃ sva-tejasā |

jahāra ākāśam āviśya sītāṃ vaiśravaṇānujaḥ ||

Translation

The younger brother of Vaiśravaṇa seized Sītā—blazing with her own radiance like a great meteor in the sky—and, entering the open firmament, bore her away.

Context

The younger brother of Vaisravana (Ravana), like a massive comet, carried Sita, who was glowing in the radiance of her own beauty, and entered the sky.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa (Vaiśravaṇānuja)
• Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera) (by epithet)
• ākāśa (sky)

FAQs

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

It underscores that adharma can act violently and swiftly, yet cannot extinguish virtue: Sītā’s ‘tejas’ symbolizes moral and spiritual integrity that persists even when forcibly displaced.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa abducts Sītā and takes to the sky, carrying her away from the forest hermitage region.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s inner radiance (tejas) and steadfast purity—presented as an inherent quality, not dependent on circumstance.