Shloka 4.58.17

सम्पातिवाक्यम् (Sampāti’s Counsel and the Revelation of Laṅkā)

Devanagari script

सूर्यप्रभेव शैलाग्रे तस्याः कौशेयमुत्तमम्।असिते राक्षसे भाति यथा वा तटिदम्बुदे।।4.58.17।।

Transliteration

krośantī rāma rām eti lakṣmaṇeti ca bhāminī |

bhūṣaṇāny apavidhyantī gātrāṇi ca vidhunvatī || 4.58.16 ||

Translation

Crying “Rāma! Rāma!” and “Lakṣmaṇa!”, that noble lady cast down her ornaments and shook her limbs, struggling in anguish.

Context

'Her fine silk garment was shining like the radiance of the Sun on the mountain peak, like lightning against the dark cloud. (That was Ravana).

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Sītā (implied by context)
• Ornaments (bhūṣaṇa)

FAQs

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

Fidelity and truth in crisis: even under coercion, Sītā calls upon Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, upholding loyalty and truth of relationship—an inner dharma amid external adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Sampāti recounts the abducted woman’s cries and her dropping ornaments as distress-signs.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness (dhairya) and marital fidelity: her mind remains anchored in Rāma despite terror.