Shloka 4.59.15

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

Devanagari script

सोऽहमभ्यवहारार्थी तौ दृष्ट्वा कृतनिश्चयः।तेन साम्ना विनीतेन पन्थानमभियाचितः।।।।

Transliteration

so 'ham abhyavahārārthī tau dṛṣṭvā kṛtaniścayaḥ | tena sāmnā vinītena panthānam abhiyācitaḥ || 4.59.15 ||

Translation

Seeking food, when I saw the two of them I made up my mind; but he, with gentle and courteous words, requested passage along the path I was blocking.

Context

'Since I was looking for food I resolved to seize both of them. (But) he asked me in a gentle and courteous manner to make way (since I was blocking the aerial path).

Characters & Entities

• Sampāti’s son
• Unidentified dark figure (Rāvaṇa implied)
• Radiant woman (Sītā implied)
• Path/route (panthāna)

FAQs

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

The power of restrained speech: even amid threat, ‘sāman’ (conciliatory words) is shown as an ethical strategy—though, in the wider story, it may serve adharma when used to enable wrongdoing.

What is the narrative situation?

The son, intending to capture prey, is addressed politely by the carrier, who asks him to clear the aerial passage.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-control in communication (vinaya): the verse foregrounds courteous speech as a potent social instrument—morally valuable, yet morally neutral unless aligned with dharma.