Shloka 2.29.3

सीताया वनगमननिश्चयः — Sita’s Resolve to Accompany Rama to the Forest

Devanagari script

मृगा स्सिंहा गजाश्चैव शार्दूला श्शरभास्तथा।पक्षिण स्सृमराश्चैव ये चान्ये वनचारिणः।।।।अदृष्टपूर्वरूपत्वात्सर्वे ते तव राघव।रूपं दृष्ट्वाऽपसर्पेयुर्भये सर्वे हि बिभ्यति।।।।

Transliteration

cintayantīṃ tathā tāṃ tu nivartayitum ātmavān | tāmrōṣṭhīṃ sa tadā sītāṃ kākutstho bahv asāntvayat ||

Translation

Seeing her thus grieving, the self-possessed Kakutstha then consoled Sita—she of copper-red lips—in many ways, seeking to dissuade her.

Context

O scion of the Raghu race! antelopes, lions, elephants, tigers, sarabhas, birds, srimaras and other wild beasts wandering in the forest have not seen your beauty before. Now on seeing you, they will flee away. In fact, who will not be afraid of seeing an object of fear?.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (Kākutstha)
• Sītā

FAQs

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

Dharma includes compassionate speech and emotional care: even when making a duty-bound decision, one must console and protect the afflicted.

What is the narrative situation?

After Sītā breaks down in grief, Rāma responds with self-control and tries repeatedly to comfort her and dissuade her from going.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s self-mastery (ātma-vattā) and compassion: he balances firmness about danger with tenderness toward Sītā’s pain.