Shloka 5.24.48

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

Devanagari script

एवं संभर्त्स्यमाना सा सीता सुरसुतोपमा।राक्षसीभिः सुघोराभिर्दैर्यमुत्सृज्य रोदिति।।5.24.48।।

Transliteration

surā cānīyatāṃ kṣipraṃ sarvaśokavināśinī | mānuṣaṃ māṃsam āsvādya nṛtyāmo 'tha nikumbhilām ||5.24.47||

Translation

“Bring wine quickly—the destroyer of all sorrow. After tasting human flesh, then we shall dance at Nikumbhilā.”

Context

Threatened by the ogresses in that manner, Sita who was like the daughter of a god, cried aloud.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē sundarakāṇḍē caturviṅśassargaḥ.Thus ends the twentyfourth sarga of Sundarakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Śūrpaṇakhā
• Sītā
• Nikumbhilā

FAQs

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

The verse portrays adharma as not only violence but revelry in wrongdoing; Dharma in the Ramayana is inseparable from self-control and reverence for life.

What is the narrative situation?

The ogresses imagine a feast and celebratory dance after harming Sītā, showing their attempt to turn sin into festivity.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s purity (śauca) is emphasized by contrast with the rākṣasīs’ indulgence and moral disorder.