Shloka 3.52.35
सीताहरण-विलापः / The Lament at Jatāyu and the Abduction of Sītā
नलिन्यो ध्वस्तकमलास्त्रस्तमीनजलेचराः।सखीमिव गतोच्छ्वासामन्वशोचन्त मैथिलीम्।।।।
nalinyo dhvasta-kamalās trasta-mīna-jalecarāḥ |
sakhīm iva gatochvāsām anvaśocanta maithilīm ||
The lotus-ponds—whose lotuses were ruined and whose fish and water-creatures were frightened—seemed to mourn Maithilī as one mourns a companion left gasping for breath.
Lotus-ponds with withering lotuses and with disturbed aquatic life like fishes in fright were as if grieving for Sita as one would grieve for a companion who is unable to breathe.
The verse elevates compassion as dharma: grief is not limited to humans; the world itself is imagined as empathizing with suffering and injustice.
The forest landscape reacts to Sītā’s abduction; ponds and aquatic life are described as disturbed and sorrowful.
Sītā’s vulnerability and innocence are foregrounded, prompting universal compassion and moral outrage.