Shloka 5.16.22

षोडशः सर्गः (Sarga 16): Hanumān’s Recognition of Sītā and Renewed Lament

Devanagari script

इमां तु शीलसम्पन्नां द्रष्टुमर्हति राघवः।रावणेन प्रमथितां प्रपामिव पिपासितः।।5.16.22।।

Transliteration

imāṃ tu śīla-sampannāṃ draṣṭum arhati rāghavaḥ | rāvaṇena pramathitāṃ prapām iva pipāsitaḥ ||5.16.22||

Translation

Rāghava deserves to see this woman of perfect virtue—tormented by Rāvaṇa—just as a thirsty man longs to reach a wellspring.

Context

"Rama deserves to see her.Just as a thirsty man longs for the source of water, Rama pines for this highly virtuous lady who is tormented by Ravana.

Characters & Entities

• Rama (Raghava)
• Sita
• Ravana

FAQs

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

Justice and rightful reunion: the verse frames reunion not as mere desire but as moral fitness—Rama, upholder of dharma, is ‘worthy’ to behold the virtuous Sita wrongfully oppressed.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanuman, seeing Sita’s suffering, imagines Rama’s intense longing and the necessity of restoring the broken moral order caused by Ravana’s violence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śīla (virtue) in Sita and dharmic legitimacy in Rama—love is portrayed as ethically grounded, not possessive.