Shloka 5.58.56

सुन्दरकाण्डे अष्टपञ्चाशः सर्गः — हनुमद्वृत्तान्तकथनम्, सीताभिज्ञान-प्रदानम्, लङ्कादाह-वर्णनम्

Devanagari script

अदूरे शिंशुपावृक्षात्पश्यामि वरवर्णिनीम्।।5.58.55।।श्यामां कमलपत्राक्षीमुपवासकृशाननाम्।तदेकवासस्संवीतां रजोध्वस्तशिरोरुहाम्।।5.58.56।।शोकसन्तापदीनाङ्गीं सीतां भर्तृहिते स्थिताम्।राक्षसीभिर्विरूपाभिः क्रूराभिरभिसंवृताम्।।5.58.57।।मांसशोणितभक्षाभिर्व्याघ्रीभिर्हरिणीमिव।

Transliteration

śyāmāṃ kamalapatrākṣīm upavāsakṛśānanām |

tadekavāsassaṃvītāṃ rajodhvastśiroruhām || 5.58.56 ||

Translation

I saw her—dark-hued, with eyes like lotus petals—her face thinned by fasting; wrapped in a single garment, her hair matted and strewn with dust.

Context

"Not far from the Simsupa tree I saw beautiful Sita, of dark complexion, with eyes like lotus petals, whose face was emaciated due to fasting, wearing only a single sari (the same one since her abduction) her locks filled with dust, pathetic looking, immersed in sorrow, meditating on her husband seated like a doe encircled by tigresses, surrounded by ugly and cruel shedemons fed on flesh and blood.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• śiṃśupā (Simsupa tree)

FAQs

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

Sītā’s steadfast restraint and purity under coercion is highlighted through her fasting and austerity—an ethical ideal of inner discipline and unwavering righteousness even in adversity.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān, hidden near the śiṃśupā tree in Laṅkā’s Aśoka grove, describes how he recognized Sītā by her austere, suffering condition.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s tapas-like endurance and fidelity—self-control, modesty, and constancy to Rāma despite fear and deprivation.