Shloka 5.22.10

रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः (Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply)

Devanagari script

तां तर्ज्यमानां सम्प्रेक्ष्य राक्षसेन्द्रेण जानकीम्।देवगन्धर्वकन्यास्ता विषेदुर्विकृतेक्षणाः।।।।

Transliteration

tāṃ tarjyamānāṃ samprekṣya rākṣasendreṇa jānakīm |

devagandharvakanyās tā viṣedur vikṛtekṣaṇāḥ ||

Translation

Seeing Jānakī being threatened by the lord of the rākṣasas, the daughters of the devas and Gandharvas grieved, their eyes troubled with distress.

Context

Observing Janaki, threatened by the demon king the daughters of gods and gandharvas shed tears with distressful eyes.

Characters & Entities

• Jānakī (Sītā)
• Rākṣasendra (Rāvaṇa)
• Devakanyās
• Gandharvakanyās

FAQs

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

Dharma is reflected through compassion and moral sensitivity: righteous beings (even as onlookers) respond with grief when adharma—threatening a virtuous woman—is committed.

What is the narrative situation?

In Aśoka-vana, Rāvaṇa threatens Sītā; celestial maidens present there witness it and become sorrowful.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Empathy and moral discernment in the onlookers—recognizing wrongdoing and reacting with sincere distress.