Shloka 5.30.20

हनुमता सीतासंवादोपायचिन्ता — Hanuman’s Deliberation on How to Address Sita

Devanagari script

सेयमालोक्य मे रूपं जानकी भाषितं तथा।।।।रक्षोभिस्त्रासिता पूर्वं भूयस्त्रासं गमिष्यति।

Transliteration

seyam ālokya me rūpaṃ jānakī bhāṣitaṃ tathā | rakṣobhis trāsitā pūrvaṃ bhūyas trāsaṃ gamiṣyati ||

Translation

This Jānakī—already frightened earlier by the Rākṣasas—may, on seeing my form and hearing me speak in that manner, fall again into fear.

Context

"Since Janaki has already been frightened by the demons, she will be even more terrified seeing me in this form and hearing me speaking this way.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā (Jānakī)
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Dharma as non-harm through sensitivity: one must account for a victim’s prior fear and avoid actions that re-traumatize, even unintentionally.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān recognizes that Sītā’s past terror in Laṅkā makes her especially likely to panic at unfamiliar appearances or unexpected speech.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Psychological insight and compassion—he safeguards Sītā’s emotional state as part of righteous conduct.