Shloka 4.48.16

विन्ध्यगुहाविचयः — Searching the Vindhya Caves and the Cursed Forest (Southern Search)

Devanagari script

तत्र चापि महात्मानो नापश्यञ्जनकात्मजाम्।हर्तारं रावणं वापि सुग्रीवप्रियकारिणः।।।।

Transliteration

tatra cāpi mahātmāno nāpaśyan janakātmajām | hartāraṃ rāvaṇaṃ vāpi sugrīvapriyakāriṇaḥ || 4.48.16 ||

Translation

Yet even there, those great-hearted ones—intent on pleasing Sugrīva—did not see Janaka’s daughter, nor did they find Rāvaṇa, her abductor.

Context

Eager to please Sugriva, the great souls searched in the forest region. Even there they could not find Janaka's daughter and also Ravana who had abducted Sita.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā (Janakātmajā)
• Rāvaṇa
• Sugrīva
• Search party (mahātmānaḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes honest recognition of results: despite sincere effort, they do not claim success; truthfulness about failure is part of righteous conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

After searching the cursed and difficult region, the party still finds neither Sītā nor Rāvaṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Loyalty and sincerity in service (bhakti to the mission), coupled with satya (truthful reporting by implication).