Shloka 3.53.8

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

Devanagari script

कथयिष्यन्ति लोकेषु पुरुषाः कर्म कुत्सितम्।सुनृशंसमधर्मिष्ठं तव शौण्डीर्यमानिनः।।3.53.8।।

Transliteration

tac cānyac ca paruṣaṃ vaidehī rāvaṇāṅkagā ||3.53.25||

bhayaśoka-samāviṣṭā karuṇaṃ vilalāpa ha |

Translation

Vaidehī—held in Rāvaṇa’s grasp—overwhelmed by fear and grief, lamented bitterly, uttering words that were at times harsh and at times pleading.

Context

You consider yourself to be brave after committing such a cruel, despicable and unrighteous act for which people of the world will condemn you.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā (Vaidehī)
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

The verse underscores the human cost of adharma: violence and coercion produce fear, grief, and moral disorder. Dharma protects the vulnerable; its violation creates lamentation.

What is the narrative situation?

As Rāvaṇa continues carrying Sītā away, she alternates between harsh rebuke and piteous pleading, crying in distress.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s emotional truth and resilience: even while overwhelmed, she gives voice to injustice rather than consenting to it.