Shloka 5.5.24

चन्द्रप्रकाशे लङ्कानिरीक्षणम् — Moonlit Survey of Lanka and the Unfound Sita

Devanagari script

सनातने वर्त्मनि सन्निविष्टां रामेक्षणां तां मदनाभिविष्टाम्।भर्तुर्मनः श्रीमदनुप्रविष्टां स्त्रीभ्यो वराभ्यश्च सदा विशिष्टाम्।।5.5.24।।

Transliteration

sanātane vartmani sanniviṣṭāṃ rāmekṣaṇāṃ tāṃ madanābhiviṣṭām | bhartur manaḥ śrīmad anupraviṣṭāṃ strībhyo varābhyaś ca sadā viśiṣṭām ||5.5.24||

Translation

Established on the eternal path of righteousness, fair-eyed and filled with love, her mind ever entered into her glorious husband; thus among women—even among the best—she always stood preeminent.

Context

'Sita must have had a pair of beautiful eyes. She must have been a passionate lady with mind fixed on her glorious husband. Ever established in dharma, she is perhaps a distinguished lady compared to her counterparts (in Lanka).

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• Hanumān

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as unwavering adherence to the ‘eternal path’—Sītā’s love is not mere desire but harmonized with duty and fidelity.

What is the narrative situation?

Unable to locate Sītā, Hanumān reasons about her character and how she would differ from others in Laṅkā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s fidelity and moral distinction—her mind is ‘ever established’ in Rāma, reflecting steadfastness and truthfulness in relationship.