Shloka 2.42.20

द्विचत्वारिंशः सर्गः — दशरथस्य शोक-विलापः तथा कौशल्यागृह-प्रवेशः (Dasaratha’s Lament and Return to Kausalya’s Apartments)

Devanagari script

अनभिज्ञा वनानां सा नूनं भयमुपैष्यति।श्वापदानर्दितं श्रुत्वा गम्भीरं रोमहर्षणम्।।।।

Transliteration

anabhijñā vanānāṃ sā nūnaṃ bhayam upaiṣyati | śvāpadānarditaṃ śrutvā gambhīraṃ romaharṣaṇam ||

Translation

Unfamiliar with the forests, she will surely be seized by fear when she hears the deep, hair-raising roars of wild beasts.

Context

Sita who knows not the forest will now live in terror, listening to the hair-raising, horrible roars of wild animals.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Sītā
• Forest (vana)
• Wild beasts (śvāpadāḥ)

FAQs

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

It emphasizes compassionate awareness: dharma must be attentive to the vulnerable; Daśaratha’s lament recognizes the ethical weight of sending the unaccustomed into danger.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha imagines Sītā’s fear in the forest at the terrifying sounds of wild animals.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s protective concern and Sītā’s courage-by-commitment (implied), as she accepts the forest despite foreseeable fear.