Shloka 5.27.38

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

Devanagari script

यदि कश्चित् प्रदाता मे विषस्याद्य भवेदिह।।5.27.38।।क्षिप्रं वैवस्वतं देवं पश्येयं पतिना विना।

Transliteration

yadi kaścit pradātā me viṣasyādya bhaved iha | kṣipraṃ vaivasvataṃ devaṃ paśyeyaṃ patinā vinā ||

Translation

If only someone here, today, would give me poison, I would quickly behold Vaivasvata—the Lord of Death—since I am without my husband.

Context

"If I can find some one who can give me poison now I shall soon see the lord of death without my lord.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Vaivasvata (Yama)
• Pati (husband—Rāma, implied)

FAQs

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

It highlights the extremity of suffering when dharma is violated by force; Sītā’s thought of death is portrayed as an attempt to escape adharma and preserve truthfulness to her marital vow.

What is the narrative situation?

After prolonged threats and humiliation, Sītā expresses a wish for poison so she may die rather than remain without Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Uncompromising fidelity and moral steadfastness, even when it turns into self-destructive despair.