Shloka 3.56.36

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

Devanagari script

न विन्दते तत्र तु शर्म मैथिली विरूपनेत्राभिरतीव तर्जिता।पतिं स्मरन्ती दयितं च देवतं विचेतनाऽभूद्भयशोकपीडिता।।।।

Transliteration

na vindate tatra tu śarma maithilī virūpa-netrābhir atīva tarjitā |

patiṃ smarantī dayitaṃ ca devataṃ vicetanā ’bhūd bhaya-śoka-pīḍitā ||

Translation

There Maithilī found no peace, harshly threatened by those women with hideous eyes; remembering her beloved husband—her very deity—tormented by fear and grief, she fell unconscious.

Context

Sita had no peace as she was threatened excessively by those women of deformed looks. Remembering her beloved husband who was also her god, and overtaken by fear and grief , she fell unconscious.itayārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē araṇyakāṇḍē ṣaṭapañcāśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the fiftysixth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Maithilī (Sītā)
• Rākṣasīs
• Rāma (implied as husband/deity)

FAQs

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

The verse underscores satya and dharma through Sītā’s unwavering devotion: even under terror, her mind returns to her righteous bond with Rāma. It also condemns adharma—threatening and dehumanizing intimidation.

What is the narrative situation?

In the Aśoka grove, demonesses threaten Sītā relentlessly; overwhelmed by fear and sorrow, she remembers Rāma and loses consciousness.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s fidelity and reverence (pativratā-bhāva)—she regards her husband as her devatā and clings to truth amid suffering.