Shloka 3.53.2

सीताविलापः रावणनिन्दा च (Sita’s Lament and Condemnation of Ravana)

Devanagari script

रोषरोदनताम्राक्षी भीमाक्षं राक्षसाधिपम्।रुदन्ती करुणं सीता ह्रियमाणेदमब्रवीत्।।3.53.2।।

Transliteration

nadīṃ vaitaraṇīṃ ghorāṃ rudhiraugha-nivāhinīm ||3.53.19||

asipatra-vanaṃ caiva bhīmaṃ paśyasi rāvaṇa |

Translation

O Rāvaṇa, you behold the dreadful Vaitaraṇī river, bearing torrents of blood, and also the terrifying forest whose leaves are swords.

Context

While being carried away, Sita wept piteously and her eyes went red with tears of anger and grief. Looking at the frightening eyes of the king of the demons, she said these words :

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa
• Vaitaraṇī
• asipatravana

FAQs

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

Wrongdoing brings its own vision of consequence: adharma leads toward suffering symbolized by infernal imagery, urging a return to righteous conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā intensifies her warning, invoking traditional images of the afterlife’s horrors to show Rāvaṇa’s impending downfall.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truth-speaking (satya-vacana) with moral urgency: Sītā speaks not to flatter power but to state consequences plainly.