Shloka 3.60.22

सीतान्वेषणविलापः (Rama’s Lament and Search for Sita)

Devanagari script

चूतनीपमहासालान्पनसान्कुरवान्धवान्।दाडिमाननसान्गत्वा दृष्ट्वा रामो महायशाः।।3.60.21।।मल्लिका माधवीश्चैव चम्पकान्केतकीस्तथा।पृच्छन्रामो वने भान्तः उन्मत्त इव लक्ष्यते।।3.60.22।।

Transliteration

mallikā mādhavīś caiva campakān ketakīs tathā | pṛcchan rāmo vane bhrāntaḥ unmatta iva lakṣyate || 3.60.22 ||

Translation

He questioned jasmine (mallikā), mādhavī creepers, champaka and ketakī as well; Rāma, wandering in the forest, appeared like one maddened, so shaken was he by separation.

Context

Renowned Rama, like a madman confused, approached the Mango, Kadamba , Sal and Jackfruit, Dhava, Champak, Ketaki trees and Pomegranate, Jasmine and Madhavi creepers, in order to make similar queries.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Forest plants: mallikā (jasmine), mādhavī, campaka, ketakī

FAQs

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

Dharma is not the absence of sorrow but righteous persistence through sorrow—Rāma’s intense grief does not cancel his duty; it drives his search.

What is the narrative situation?

The narrator describes Rāma questioning flowering plants and creepers; his disoriented behavior reflects the shock of Sītā’s loss.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Single-minded fidelity: his love is focused and loyal, even when it makes him appear outwardly unsteady.