Shloka 3.52.38

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

Devanagari script

ह्रियमाणां तु वैदेहीं दृष्ट्वा दीनो दिवाकरः।प्रतिध्वस्तप्रभश्श्रीमानासीत्पाण्डरमण्डलः।।।।

Transliteration

ayaṃ hi pāpacāreṇa māṃ trātum abhisaṅgataḥ |

śete vinihato bhūmau mamābhāgyād vihaṅgamaḥ ||

Translation

“This bird, who came forward to rescue me, has been struck down by that sinful one; through my ill-fortune he lies upon the ground.”

Context

Seeing Sita abducted, the glorious Sun looked lustreless and distraught. He developed a pale white disk around him.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā (Vaidehī)
• Rāvaṇa (implied as pāpacārin)
• Jatāyu (implied as vihaṅgama)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights dharma as protective courage and compassion: Jatāyu attempts to defend the vulnerable, while Rāvaṇa’s violence is marked as pāpa (sin/adharma).

What is the narrative situation?

During Sītā’s abduction, she sees the bird-warrior (Jatāyu) felled while trying to rescue her, and she laments his fall.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Jatāyu’s self-sacrificing bravery and compassion (anukampā) in defending Sītā, even at great personal cost.