Shloka 5.25.20

सीताविलापः (Sita’s Lament amid Rākṣasī Threats)

Devanagari script

धिगस्तु खलु मानुष्यं धिगस्तु परवश्यताम्।न शक्यं यत्परित्यक्तुमात्मच्छन्देन जीवितम्।।5.25.20।।

Transliteration

sarvathā tena hīnāyā rāmeṇa viditātmanā | tīkṣṇaṃ viṣam ivāsvādya durlabhaṃ mama jīvitam || 5.25.17 ||

Translation

In every way separated from Rāma—self-knowing and steadfast—my life is hard to sustain, as if I had swallowed a sharp poison.

Context

'Fie upon this human life. Fie upon this dependence. What a pitiable situation I am placed in. It is not possible for me, a human, to give up life at my free will.'ইত্যার্ষে শ্রীমদ্রামাযণে বাল্মীকীয আদিকাব্যে সুন্দরকাণ্ডে পঞ্চবিংশস্সর্গঃ৷Thus ends the twentyfifth sarga of Sundarakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma is not merely external duty but inner fidelity: Sītā’s identity is bound to righteous love and truth, making separation feel like spiritual poison.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā expresses that life without Rāma, who is self-disciplined and self-aware, feels unbearable.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Constancy (ananyatā) in commitment—her unwavering devotion to a dharmic spouse.