Shloka 5.26.16

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

Devanagari script

विराधो दण्डकारण्ये येन राक्षसपुङ्गवः।रणे रामेण निहतस्स मां किं नाभिपद्यते।।।।

Transliteration

virādho daṇḍakāraṇye yena rākṣasapuṅgavaḥ | raṇe rāmeṇa nihatas sa māṃ kiṃ nābhipadyate ||

Translation

Why does that Rāma not come to reach and rescue me—he who, in the Daṇḍaka forest, killed Virādha, a foremost among rākṣasas, in battle?

Context

"Why is Rama who killed Viradha, a bull among demons, in Dandaka forest in the fight not coming to rescue me?

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• Virādha
• Daṇḍakāraṇya (Dandaka forest)

FAQs

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

The expectation that righteous power acts to protect the afflicted: Sītā’s grief voices the dharmic ideal that the strong defend those wronged.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā, remembering earlier victories, wonders why rescue has not yet arrived despite Rāma’s proven might.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s proven valor (śaurya) contrasted with Sītā’s present helplessness and longing for protection.