Shloka 5.38.22

अभिज्ञानप्रदानम् — The Token of Recognition (Chūḍāmaṇi) and the Crow Episode Recalled

Devanagari script

स तत्र पुनरेवाथ वायसस्समुपागमत्।ततस्सुप्तप्रबुद्धां मां रामस्याङ्कात्समुत्थिताम्।।5.38.22।।वायसस्सहसागम्य विददार स्तनान्तरे।पुनः पुनरथोत्पत्य विददार स मां भृशम्।।5.38.23।।

Transliteration

bāṣpapūrṇamukhī mandaṃ cakṣuṣī parimārjatī |

lakṣitā 'haṃ tvayā nātha vāyasena prakopitā || 5.38.20 ||

Translation

O lord, when the crow had provoked me and my face was full of tears, you noticed me as I gently wiped my eyes.

Context

'The crow came back again and clawed me in the space between my breasts even after I woke up after slumber from Rama's lap. Flying, it tore my bosom again and again.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• crow (vāyasa)

FAQs

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

Attentiveness to another’s suffering is dharmic; the protector must perceive distress and respond, not ignore it.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā describes the moment Rāma first noticed her tears caused by the crow’s harassment.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s empathy and vigilance; Sītā’s sincerity in expressing pain without deceit.