Shloka 5.15.18

अशोकवनिकायां सीतादर्शनम् (Sita Seen in the Ashoka Grove)

Devanagari script

ततो मलिनसंवीतां राक्षसीभिस्समावृताम्।।।।उपवासकृशां दीनां निश्श्वसन्तीं पुनः पुनः।ददर्श शुक्लपक्षादौ चन्द्ररेखामिवामलाम्।।।।

Transliteration

tato malinasaṃvītāṃ rākṣasībhiḥ samāvṛtām |

upavāsakṛśāṃ dīnāṃ niśśvasantīṃ punaḥ punaḥ |

dadarśa śuklapakṣādau candrarekhām ivāmalām || 5.15.19 ||

Translation

Then he saw her—clad in soiled garments, surrounded by rākṣasī women; emaciated by fasting, wretched, sighing again and again—pale like the crescent moon at the start of the bright fortnight.

Context

Then he beheld a lady surrounded by female demons. Clad in soiled clothes she looked dejected, emaciated through fasting and was sighing repeatedly. She appeared thin and pale like the crescent Moon at the beginning of the bright fortnight.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Sītā
• Rākṣasīs (demonesses)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown through Sītā’s steadfast fidelity and moral resistance: though oppressed and weakened, she does not abandon truth and righteousness, embodying inner strength grounded in satya.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanuman finally beholds Sītā in the Ashoka Grove, guarded by rākṣasīs, suffering from captivity and austerity.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s fortitude and purity (śīla, dhairya): she endures hardship without yielding to coercion.