Shloka 1.1.54

श्रीमद्रामायणकथासङ्क्षेपः / The Ramayana in Synopsis (Narada’s Summary to Valmiki)

Devanagari script

ततस्तेनैव शोकेन गृध्रं दग्ध्वा जटायुषम् ।।।।मार्गमाणो वने सीतां राक्षसं सन्ददर्श ह ।कबन्धन्नाम रूपेण विकृतं घोरदर्शनम् ।।।।

Transliteration

gṛdhraṃ ca nihataṃ dṛṣṭvā hṛtāṃ śrutvā ca maithilīm | rāghavaḥ śokasantapto vilalāpākulendriyaḥ ||

Translation

Seeing the vulture struck down, and hearing that Maithilī had been abducted, Rāghava—burning with grief—lamented, his senses thrown into turmoil.

Context

Then he performed in the midst of tears the funeral rites of the vulture Jatayu. Wandering in search of Sita, he beheld a rakshasa named Kabandha who was dreadful, in deformed in appearance.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Maithilī (Sītā)
• Jatāyu

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown through righteous compassion: even the ideal hero openly grieves at adharma (abduction) and at the fall of a loyal protector, affirming that sensitivity to injustice is not weakness but moral clarity.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma finds Jatāyu mortally wounded and learns from him that Sītā has been abducted; the shock breaks into lament.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s compassion and loyalty—his capacity to feel deeply for others and respond to wrong with earnest resolve.