Shloka 5.34.9

सीताहनूमद्भाषणम् — Sita Tests the Messenger; Hanuman Offers Reassurance

Devanagari script

यथा यथा समीपं स हनुमानुपसर्पति।तथा तथा रावणं सा तं सीता परिशङ्कते।।।।

Transliteration

yathā yathā samīpaṃ sa hanumān upasarpati | tathā tathā rāvaṇaṃ sā taṃ sītā pariśaṅkate ||

Translation

As Hanumān drew nearer and nearer, Sītā, in the same measure, suspected him to be Rāvaṇa.

Context

As Hanuman started slowly drawing close, Sita suspected he might be Ravana.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma includes prudent discernment: a person under threat must not abandon caution; safeguarding oneself against deception is a righteous form of vigilance.

What is the narrative situation?

Even as Hanumān approaches to help, Sītā’s trauma and Rāvaṇa’s known deceit cause her to fear trickery.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s wary discernment (viveka) shaped by experience—careful judgment before granting trust.