Shloka 2.28.21

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

Devanagari script

पतङ्गा वृश्चिकाः कीटा दंशाश्च मशकै स्सह।बाधन्ते नित्यमबले सर्वं दुःखमतो वनम्।।2.28.21।।

Transliteration

pataṅgā vr̥ścikāḥ kīṭā daṃśāś ca maśakaiḥ saha |

bādhante nityam abale sarvaṃ duḥkham ato vanam ||2.28.21||

Translation

Birds, scorpions, insects, biting gnats, and mosquitoes constantly torment everyone there, O helpless one; therefore the forest is sheer suffering.

Context

Birds, scorpions, insects, gnats and mosquitoes always create trouble. Therefore, life in the forest is all suffering.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sītā
• vr̥ścika (scorpion)
• maśaka (mosquito)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes compassionate warning: Rāma’s duty is not only to accept hardship himself but to prevent unnecessary suffering for Sītā.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma describes continual minor afflictions—stings and bites—that make daily life miserable in the forest.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Empathy—recognizing that constant small pains can be as discouraging as major dangers.