Valmiki Ramayana 1.77.31 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 77, Shloka 31

सप्तसप्ततितमः सर्गः

Ayodhya Return, Bridal Reception, and Bharata’s Departure

Transliteration

tasya bhūyo viśeṣeṇa maithilī janakātmajā |

devatābhiḥ samā rūpe sītā śrīr iva rūpiṇī ||

Translation

Maithilī Sītā, Janaka’s daughter, was dearer to him than all; in beauty she equaled the goddesses, and in embodied form she seemed Śrī (Lakṣmī) herself.

Word by Word

• tasya: of him
• tasya: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana; ‘of him’ (Rāma)

• bhūyaḥ: more
• bhūyaḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bhūyas (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb ‘more/further’

• viśeṣeṇa: especially
• viśeṣeṇa: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: viśeṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; used adverbially ‘especially’

• maithilī: the Maithili woman (Sita)
• maithilī: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्ता-समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maithilī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; epithet of Sītā

• janakātmajā: Janaka's daughter
• janakātmajā: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्ता-समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janaka (प्रातिपदिक) + ātmaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी): janakasya ātmajā ‘daughter of Janaka’; Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• devatābhiḥ: with the goddesses
• devatābhiḥ: Upamāna (उपमान/standard of comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devatā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; standard of comparison

• samā: equal
• samā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; agreeing with sītā/maithilī

• rūpe: in beauty/form
• rūpe: Viṣaya-adhikaraṇa (विषय-अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rūpa (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Napuṃsakaliṅga, Saptamī, Ekavacana; locative of respect/domain

• sītā: Sita
• sītā: Kartā (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• śrīḥ: Śrī (Lakṣmī)
• śrīḥ: Upameya-samānādhikaraṇa (उपमेय-समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; subject-complement in simile

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; simile marker (उपमा-वाचक)

• rūpiṇī: beautiful, possessing form
• rūpiṇī: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rūpinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; qualifying sītā

Context

Sita was an embodiment of Lakshmi (goddess of wealth). In beauty she was like a goddess. Born in the city of Mithila as daughter to Janaka, she was always especially dear to him.

Characters & Entities

• Sita
• Rama
• Janaka
• Mithila
• Lakshmi (Sri)

FAQs

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

The verse supports the dharmic ideal of honoring one’s spouse as auspicious and worthy—seeing in Sita not merely beauty but sacred excellence (śrī).

What is the narrative situation?

The narration continues to praise Sita’s qualities and her special place in Rama’s life after their union.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Auspicious excellence (śrī-like quality): Sita is depicted as embodying grace, prosperity, and divine-like beauty.