Shloka 4.6.4

आभरण-प्रत्यभिज्ञानम् (Recognition of Sītā’s Ornaments)

Devanagari script

पुनरेवाब्रवीत्प्रीतो राघवं रघुनन्दनम्।अयमाख्याति मे राम सचिवो मन्त्रिसत्तमः4.6.1।।हनुमान्यन्निमित्तं त्वं निर्जनं वनमागतः।लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा वसतश्च वने तव4.6.2।।रक्षसाऽपहृता भार्या मैथिली जनकात्मजा।त्वया वियुक्ता रुदती लक्ष्मणेन च धीमता4.6.3।।अन्तरप्रेप्सुना तेन हत्वा गृध्रं जटायुषम्4.6.4।।

Transliteration

antaraprepsunā tena hatvā gṛdhraṃ jaṭāyuṣam || 4.6.4 ||

Translation

Seeking an opening, that one killed Jaṭāyu, the vulture.

Context

Sugriva was pleased to say to Rama, delight of the Raghu race once again, 'O Rama, Hanuman, jewel among Ministers, has told me the cause of your coming to this desolate forest. While you were residing in the forest, a demon who was looking for an opportunity carried off your wife, the princess from Mithila, daughter of Janaka, finding her alone. While she was crying (piteously) he killed Jatayu. (the vulture who pretested).

Characters & Entities

• Sugriva
• Rama
• Jatayu
• Rākṣasa (abductor; implied)

FAQs

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

The verse contrasts dharma and adharma: the abductor’s opportunistic violence is adharma, while Jaṭāyu’s implied resistance represents dharmic protection of another’s honor.

What is the narrative situation?

Sugriva notes that during the abduction the rākṣasa killed Jaṭāyu, who attempted to stop him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Jaṭāyu’s courage and self-sacrifice in defense of Sita and righteousness.