Shloka 5.24.15

सीताभर्त्सना — The Ogresses’ Threats to Sita and Her Vow of Fidelity

Devanagari script

तामभिक्रम्य सङ्कृद्धा वेपमानां समन्ततः।।5.24.15।।भृशं संलिलिहुर्दीप्तान् प्रलम्बान् दशनच्छदान्।

Transliteration

tām abhikramya saṅkruddhā vepamānāṃ samantataḥ ॥5.24.15॥

bhṛśaṃ saṃlilihuḥ dīptān pralambān daśanacchadān ।

Translation

Closing in on her from every side as she trembled, the enraged rākṣasīs repeatedly licked their hanging lips, their long teeth gleaming with menace.

Context

Sita was trembling in fear. The enraged ogresses went on licking their lips hanging, again and again.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• rākṣasī (ogresses)

FAQs

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

The verse depicts adharma as cruelty and intimidation; dharma is implied by the need to protect the vulnerable and oppose terror.

What is the narrative situation?

The rākṣasīs physically crowd around Sītā, intensifying fear through threatening gestures.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s endurance (titikṣā) under fear, even as hostile forces attempt to break her.