Shloka 5.19.2
सीताव्यथा-वर्णनम् / Sītā’s Distress and Rāvaṇa’s Attempt at Coercive Allurement
तस्मिन्नेव ततः काले राजपुत्री त्वनिन्दिता।रूपयौवनसम्पन्नं भूषणोत्तमभूषितम्।।5.19.1।।ततो दृष्ट्वैव वैदेही रावणं राक्षसाधिपम्।प्रावेपत वरारोहा प्रवाते कदली यथा।।5.19.2।।
gṛhītām ālitāṃ stambhe yūthapena vinākṛtām |
niḥśvasantīṃ suduḥkhārtāṃ gajarājavadhūm iva ||
She sighed deeply in intense anguish, like a royal she-elephant bound to a post, separated from the lord of her herd.
On just seeing Ravana, the lord of demons from a distance, adorned with the best of ornaments the charming, young, blameles princess Vaidehi of beautiful waist trembled like a banana plant shaken by a strong wind.
To bind and isolate the innocent is adharma. Dharma upholds freedom, protection, and rightful companionship; the verse condemns coercive captivity through a poignant animal analogy.
Sītā’s helpless confinement and grief are described as she languishes in Laṅkā, separated from Rāma.
Loyalty and steadfastness: her sorrow is the sorrow of separation, implying unwavering attachment to her rightful lord and to satya.