Shloka 4.59.14

सम्पातिवाक्यम् (Sampati’s Intelligence Report on Sita’s Abduction)

Devanagari script

तत्र कश्चिन्मया दृष्ट स्सूर्योदयसमप्रभाम्।स्त्रियमादाय गच्छन्वै भिन्नाञ्जनचयप्रभः।।।।

Transliteration

tatra kaścin mayā dṛṣṭaḥ sūryodayasamaprabhām | striyam ādāya gacchan vai bhinnāñjanacayaprabhaḥ || 4.59.14 ||

Translation

There I saw someone—dark and massive like a shattered heap of collyrium—moving along while carrying a woman whose radiance was like the rising sun.

Context

'I saw a person who was dark and huge like a mass of collyrium carrying a lady whose radiance was like the rising Sun.

Characters & Entities

• Sampāti’s son
• Unidentified dark figure (Rāvaṇa implied in broader narrative)
• Radiant woman (Sītā implied in broader narrative)

FAQs

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

Witnessing and truthful description: accurate observation becomes a dharmic tool when it helps oppose adharma (the carrying-off of a woman).

What is the narrative situation?

The son reports a crucial sighting: a dark, formidable being transporting a radiant woman—imagery consistent with the abduction of Sītā by Rāvaṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Attentiveness and reliability as a witness: he notes distinctive features that can guide later action.