Shloka 3.53.9

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

Devanagari script

धिक्ते शौर्यं च सत्त्वं च यत्त्वं कथितवांस्तदा।कुलाक्रोशकरं लोके धिक्ते चारित्रमीदृशम्।।3.53.9।।

Transliteration

tathā bhṛśārtāṃ bahu caiva bhāṣiṇīṃ vilāpapūrvaṃ karuṇaṃ ca bhāminīm |

jahāra pāpaḥ karuṇaṃ viceṣṭatīṃ nṛpātmajām āgata-gātra-vepathum ||3.53.26||

Translation

Thus the sinful one carried off the princess—trembling in every limb—uttering many pleas, weeping and lamenting piteously, writhing helplessly in anguish.

Context

Fie upon your heroism and strength about which you boasted. Fie upon your character that would bring calumny to the race and the world. I condemn such behaviour of yours.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā (nṛpātmajā / Vaidehī)
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Adharma is identified by its fruits: coercion, terror, and suffering. The narrator’s labeling of Rāvaṇa as pāpa signals a moral evaluation grounded in dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa continues the abduction while Sītā trembles, cries, pleads, and struggles—highlighting the force and unwillingness involved.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s refusal to submit inwardly: her struggle and lament are signs of non-consent and moral resistance to wrongdoing.