Shloka 5.26.1

सीताविलापः — Sita’s Lament and Prophecy of Lanka’s Ruin

Devanagari script

प्रसक्ताश्रुमुखीत्यवं ब्रुवन्ती जनकात्मजा।आधोगतमुखी बाला विलप्तुमुपचक्रमे।।।।

Transliteration

prasaktāśru-mukhīty evaṁ bruvantī janakātmajā | ādhogata-mukhī bālā vilaptum upacakrame || 5.26.1 ||

Translation

Speaking thus, Janaka’s young daughter—her face drenched with unceasing tears, her head bowed—began to lament aloud.

Context

The young daughter of king Janaka thus speaking, began to cry, her face bent down.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Janaka

FAQs

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

Dharma recognizes the legitimacy of grief while maintaining truthfulness: Sītā’s lament is not moral collapse but an honest articulation of suffering without surrendering virtue.

What is the narrative situation?

Transition into Sarga 26: Sītā, overwhelmed, begins a sustained lament in Aśoka-vana.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Integrity in suffering—she remains truthful to her condition and values.