Shloka 5.58.57

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

śokasantāpadīnāṅgīṃ sītāṃ bhartṛhite sthitām |

rākṣasībhir virūpābhiḥ krūrābhir abhisaṃvṛtām || 5.58.57 ||

māṃsaśoṇitabhakṣābhir vyāghrībhir hariṇīm iva |

Translation

Sītā—her limbs weakened by grief and torment—remained steadfast in seeking her husband’s good; yet she was hemmed in by hideous, cruel rākṣasīs, eaters of flesh and blood, like a doe surrounded by tigresses.

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
• rākṣasī (demonesses)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is constancy in righteousness: Sītā maintains fidelity and moral purpose (bhartṛ-hita) even when surrounded by violence and intimidation.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān describes Sītā’s condition in captivity—physically weakened by grief, yet morally unbroken—while demonesses guard and threaten her.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s steadfastness (dhṛti) and loyalty—her refusal to abandon righteousness despite extreme fear and isolation.