Shloka 2.28.19

सीतानिवर्तनप्रयत्नः — Rama’s Attempt to Dissuade Sita from Forest Exile

Devanagari script

सरीसृपाश्च बहवो बहुरूपाश्च भामिनि।चरन्ति पृथिवीं दर्पात्ततो दुःखतरं वनम्।।2.28.19।।

Transliteration

atīva vātās timiraṃ bubhukṣā cātra nityaśaḥ |

bhayāni ca mahānty atra tato duḥkhataraṃ vanam ||2.28.18||

Translation

There are fierce winds, darkness, and constant hunger there, and great dangers as well; therefore life in the forest is exceedingly difficult.

Context

There are various forms of fierce reptiles fearlessly crawling on the ground. So (living in the) forest is extremely dangerous.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sītā
• vana (forest)

FAQs

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

Satya aligned with dharma: Rāma speaks truthfully about suffering, teaching that righteous choices require informed acceptance of hardship.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma enumerates environmental hardships to dissuade Sītā from joining him in exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fortitude and honesty—acknowledging fear and deprivation without abandoning duty.