Shloka 5.59.31

हनूमद्वृत्तान्तः—वानरबलप्रशंसा च (Hanuman’s Report and Praise of the Vanara Host)

Devanagari script

सा मया राक्षसीमध्ये तर्ज्यमाना मुहुर्मुहुः।राक्षसीभिर्विरूपाभिर्दृष्टा हि प्रमदावने।।5.59.30।।एकवेणीधरा दीना भर्तृचिन्तापरायणा।अधश्शय्या विवर्णाङ्गी पद्मिनीव हिमागमे।।5.59.31।।रावणाद्विनिवृत्तार्था मर्तव्यकृतनिश्चया।

Transliteration

sā mayā rākṣasīmadhye tarjyamānā muhur muhuḥ | rākṣasībhir virūpābhir dṛṣṭā hi pramadāvane || ekaveṇīdharā dīnā bhartṛcintāparāyaṇā | adhaḥśayyā vivarṇāṅgī padminīva himāgame || rāvaṇād vinivṛttārthā martavyakṛtaniścayā |

Translation

I saw her in the pleasure-grove, surrounded by rākṣasīs—again and again threatened by those hideous ogresses. With her hair in a single braid, wretched and wholly absorbed in thoughts of her husband, she lay upon the bare ground, her body drained of lustre like a lotus in winter. Rejecting Rāvaṇa’s advances, she had resolved upon death.

Context

"I saw Sita often threatened by uglylooking ogresses. Wearing a single braid, she looked pathetic, thinking always about her husband, lying on the bare ground. She was like a lustreless lotus in winter. Spurning the advances by Ravana, she is rather determined to commit suicide.

Characters & Entities

• Sita
• Ravana
• Rakshasis
• Pramadavana (pleasure grove / Ashoka-vana context)

FAQs

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

Dharma is steadfastness under coercion: Sita’s refusal of Ravana, despite fear and suffering, embodies fidelity to truth and marital righteousness.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanuman recounts to Rama what he witnessed in Lanka: Sita’s harsh captivity, threats from rākṣasīs, and her unwavering rejection of Ravana.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sita’s unwavering chastity and courage—endurance without surrender, even when despair pushes her toward thoughts of death.