Shloka 2.33.9

त्रयस्त्रिंशः सर्गः — Civic Lament and Rama’s Dutiful Approach to Daśaratha

Devanagari script

अङ्गरागोचितां सीतां रक्तचन्दनसेविनीम्।वर्षमुष्णं च शीतं च नेष्यन्त्याशु विवर्णताम्।।।।

Transliteration

aṅgarāgocitāṃ sītāṃ raktacandana-sevinīm | varṣam uṣṇaṃ ca śītaṃ ca neṣyanty āśu vivarṇatām ||

Translation

Sītā, accustomed to fragrant unguents and to red sandal paste, will now face rain, heat, and cold, which will quickly drain her complexion.

Context

Sita who used to apply fragrant unguents and smear the body with red-sandalcream will now be exposed to the rain, the heat and the cold which will quickly discolour her body.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma (implicit in exile context)

FAQs

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

Dharma may require embracing discomfort: the verse highlights the moral weight of accepting austerity as part of righteous duty.

What is the narrative situation?

Onlookers foresee how palace-raised Sītā will physically suffer from exposure to nature during the exile journey.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s endurance and fidelity—choosing to share Rāma’s dharmic path despite foreseeable hardship.