Shloka 6.1.1

प्रथमः सर्गः — Rama Praises Hanuman; Anxiety over Crossing the Ocean

Devanagari script

श्रुत्वा हनुमतो वाक्यं यथावदभिभाषितम् ।रामः प्रीतिसमायुक्तो वाक्यमुत्तरमब्रवीत् ।।।।

Transliteration

punaś ca so 'cintayad āttarūpo dhruvaṃ viśiṣṭā guṇato hi sītā |

athāyam asyāṃ kṛtavān mahātmā laṅkeśvaraḥ kaṣṭam anāryakarma ||5.9.73||

Translation

Then, returning to his true form, he reflected: “Surely Sītā is preeminent in virtue above all. Alas—Laṅkā’s lord has done to her a grievous deed, unworthy of the noble.”

Context

Having heard Hanuman's words, full of love, Rama replied.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Sītā
• Laṅkeśvara (Rāvaṇa)
• Laṅkā

FAQs

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

The verse explicitly condemns adharma: abducting a virtuous, lawful wife is an anārya act. Dharma is aligned with restraint, respect for marriage, and protection of the innocent.

What is the narrative situation?

Near the close of the sarga, Hanumān concludes that Sītā is morally superior to the palace women and laments Rāvaṇa’s ignoble wrongdoing.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral judgment grounded in truth: Hanumān recognizes virtue (guṇa) and names wrongdoing as wrongdoing without confusion.