Shloka 3.56.3

सीताया रावणनिन्दा — अशोकवनिकाप्रवेशः (Sita’s Rebuke of Ravana; Removal to the Ashoka Grove)

Devanagari script

रामो नाम स धर्मात्मा त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतः।दीर्घबाहुर्विशालाक्षो दैवतं हि पतिर्मम।।।।

Transliteration

aśokavanikāmadhye maithilī nīyatām iyam |

tatra iyaṃ rakṣyatāṃ gūḍhaṃ yuṣmābhiḥ parivāritā ||

Translation

Take this Maithilī into the midst of the Aśoka grove. There keep her guarded in secrecy, seated about her and enclosing her on every side.

Context

The long-armed, large-eyed Rama is famous in all the three worlds. He is my husband, a righteous soul and a god to all.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā (Maithilī)
• Aśoka-vanikā (Aśoka grove)
• rākṣasīs (demonesses)

FAQs

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

The verse presents adharma structurally: secrecy and unlawful confinement oppose satya (truth) and dharma (right order), showing how wrongdoing depends on concealment.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa commands that Sītā be moved to the Aśoka grove and kept under hidden guard by demonesses.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s purity and steadfastness are implied: despite surveillance and isolation, her commitment to dharma and truth remains unbroken.