Shloka 5.38.67

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

Devanagari script

जीवितं धारयिष्यामि मासं दशरथात्मज।ऊर्ध्वं मासान्न जीवेयं सत्येनाहं ब्रवीमि ते।।5.38.67।।

Transliteration

rāvaṇenoparuddhāṃ māṃ nikṛtya pāpakarmaṇā |

trātum arhasi vīra tvaṃ pātālād iva kauśikīm ||5.38.68||

Translation

Imprisoned by Rāvaṇa, that sinner in deed—deceived, wronged, and humiliated—O hero, it is fitting that you rescue me, as Kauśikī was rescued from the depths of Pātāla.

Context

"I will hold on to life only for a month. Beyond, I will not survive. I swear by truth. You may tell this to Rama.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa
• Rāma
• Pātāla
• Kauśikī
• Hanumān

FAQs

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

The kṣatriya-duty of protection and justice: rescuing the oppressed from unlawful captivity is presented as a righteous obligation.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā describes her captivity under Rāvaṇa’s wrongdoing and urges that Rāma rescue her, using a traditional comparison (Kauśikī rescued from Pātāla).

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s protective righteousness (dharma of a hero-king), and Sītā’s steadfast appeal grounded in justice.