Shloka 4.30.46

शरत्प्रवेशे रामविलापः तथा सुग्रीवप्रमादे लक्ष्मणप्रेषणम् (Autumn’s Onset: Rama’s Lament and Lakshmana Sent to Sugriva)

Devanagari script

रात्रिश्शशाङ्कोदितसौम्यवक्त्रातारागणोन्मीलितचारुनेत्रा।ज्योत्स्नांशुकप्रावरणा विभातिनारीव शुक्लांशुकसंवृताङ्गी।।

Transliteration

rātriḥ śaśāṅkoditasaumyavaktrā tārāgaṇonmīlitacārunetrā |

jyotsnāṃśukaprāvaraṇā vibhāti nārīva śuklāṃśukasaṃvṛtāṅgī ||

Translation

Night shines like a woman: her gentle face made fair by the risen moon, her lovely eyes opened by the host of stars, her body wrapped in a garment of white moonlight.

Context

'The night appears like a lady with a sweet face lit up by the rising Moon, her beautiful eyes opened up by stars, her body draped in the robe of white Moon light.

Characters & Entities

• śaśāṅka (Moon)
• tārāgaṇa (stars)
• jyotsnā (moonlight)
• rātri (night)

FAQs

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

The verse models purity and clarity: moonlight and stars symbolize illumination. Dharma is living in a way that makes one’s intentions ‘visible’—aligned with satya and inner cleanliness.

What is the narrative situation?

Autumn night is portrayed in heightened poetic imagery as Rama remains in contemplation during Sita’s absence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śauca (purity): clarity of mind and conduct, suggested by the ‘white garment’ of moonlight.