Shloka 3.60.18

सीतान्वेषणविलापः (Rama’s Lament and Search for Sita)

Devanagari script

यदि ताल त्वया दृष्टा पक्वतालफलस्तनी।कथयस्व वरारोहां कारुण्यं यदि ते मयि।।3.60.18।।

Transliteration

aśoka śokāpanuda śokopahata-cetasam | tvannāmānaṃ kuru kṣipraṃ priyā-sandarśanena mām || 3.60.17 ||

Translation

O Aśoka, remover of sorrow—quickly, by granting me the sight of my beloved, make me worthy of your very name, for my heart is struck down by grief.

Context

O Palmyra tree! be kind to me and tell me if you have seen my beautiful beloved who has breasts like ripe palmyra fruit?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sītā
• Aśoka tree

FAQs

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

Dharma is the aspiration to regain inner steadiness through rightful reunion, not through harmful shortcuts; Rāma seeks relief from sorrow by truthful sight of Sītā.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma appeals to the aśoka tree, punning on its name (‘without sorrow’), begging for any sign that will lead him to Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-restraint within grief—his plea is earnest but not destructive, showing disciplined longing.