Shloka 5.58.74

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

Devanagari script

विवृत्य नयने क्रूरे मुष्टिमुद्यम्य दक्षिणम्।।।।मैथिलीं हन्तुमारब्ध: स्त्रीभिर्हाहाकृतं तदा।

Transliteration

vivṛtya nayane krūre muṣṭim udyamya dakṣiṇam | maithilīṃ hantum ārabdhaḥ strībhir hāhākṛtaṃ tadā ||

Translation

Opening his cruel eyes wide and raising his right fist, Rāvaṇa began to strike Maithilī; then the women there cried out in alarm, “Alas! Alas!”

Context

"Then the wicked Ravana raised his eyebrows and his right fist to strike at Sita and even the she-demon there raised their voice saying, ' alas, alas !'

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā (Maithilī)
• Rākṣasī women (striyaḥ)

FAQs

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

Dharma condemns violence against the helpless; power used to intimidate the innocent is adharma, and even bystanders feel moral shock.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa, enraged and frustrated, attempts to strike Sītā, prompting alarm among the women present.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The women’s spontaneous protest highlights basic moral conscience and the instinct to prevent wrongdoing.