Shloka 5.28.1

सीताविलापः (Sita’s Lament and Resolve under Threat)

Devanagari script

सा राक्षसेन्द्रस्य वचो निशम्य तद्रावणस्याप्रियमप्रियार्ता।सीता वितत्रास यथा वनान्ते सिंहाभिपन्ना गजराजकन्या।।5.28.1।।

Transliteration

sā rākṣasendrasya vaco niśamya tad rāvaṇasyāpriyam apriyārtā | sītā vitatrāsa yathā vanānte siṁhābhipannā gajarāja-kanyā || 5.28.1 ||

Translation

Hearing the hateful words of Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, Sītā—stricken with distress—was terrified, like a young elephant-calf seized by a lion in the deep forest.

Context

After hearing the unpleasant words spoken by the king of demons, which caused restlessness and sorrow to Sita, she was terrified like the young calf of a lordly elephant fallen into the clutches of a lion in the midst of the forest.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Adharma manifests as intimidation and coercion; dharma is implied by the moral condemnation of such speech and the recognition of the victim’s plight.

What is the narrative situation?

Immediately after Rāvaṇa’s harsh and threatening words in Aśoka-vana, Sītā is overwhelmed with fear.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s moral steadfastness is presupposed: though terrified, she remains the wronged party who does not yield to unrighteous pressure.