Shloka 15

Devanagari script

ततस्सीतांशिरःस्नातांसंयुक्तांप्रतिकर्मणा ।महार्हाभरणोपेतांमहार्हाम्बरधारिणीम् ।।6.117.14।।आरोप्यशिबिकांदीप्तांपरार्घ्याम्बरसम्वृताम् ।राक्षसैर्भहुभिर्गुप्तामाजहारविभीषणः ।।6.117.15।।

Transliteration

tataḥ sītāṃ śiraḥ-snātāṃ saṃyuktāṃ pratikarmaṇā |

mahārhābharaṇopetāṃ mahārhāmbaradhāriṇīm ||

āropya śibikāṃ dīptāṃ parārghyāmbara-saṃvṛtām |

rākṣasair bahubhir guptām ājahāra vibhīṣaṇaḥ ||

Translation

Then Vibhīṣaṇa had Sītā bathe and be duly adorned; arrayed in precious ornaments and costly garments, he placed her in a splendid palanquin draped with rich cloth, guarded by many rākṣasas, and brought her to Rāma.

Word by Word

• tatas: then/thereafter
• tatas: Kāla/Anantarya (काल/अनन्तर्य)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya); क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• sītām: Sita
• sītām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन (sg.)

• śiraḥ-snātām: bathed (with head washed)
• śiraḥ-snātām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiras (प्रातिपदिक) + स्नात (कृदन्त, √स्ना धातु)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; स्नात (past passive participle/क्त) from √स्ना; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of sītām

• saṃyuktām: adorned/arranged
• saṃyuktām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṃyukta (कृदन्त, √yuj धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle) from सम्+√युज्; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of sītām

• pratikarmaṇā: by personal decoration/toilet
• pratikarmaṇā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pratikarman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन

• mahārha-ābharaṇa-upetām: endowed with precious ornaments
• mahārha-ābharaṇa-upetām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahārha (प्रातिपदिक) + ābharaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + upeta (कृदन्त, √i धातु with उप)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुष; उपेत (kta, ‘endowed with’) from उप+√इ; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of sītām

• mahārha-ambara-dhāriṇīm: wearing precious garments
• mahārha-ambara-dhāriṇīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahārha (प्रातिपदिक) + ambara (प्रातिपदिक) + dhāriṇī (प्रातिपदिक from √dhṛ)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; धारीणी (agent noun) स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of sītām

Context

Thereafter Vibheeshana, making Sita to ascend the palanquin, covered with valuable clothes and guarded by numerous Rakshasas after she adorned herself in the best of ornaments and put on glowing wonderful clothes brought to Rama.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rākṣasas
• Śibikā (palanquin)
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma appears as maryādā and social propriety: Sītā is presented with honor and protection, reflecting the duty to safeguard dignity, especially in a public and politically charged reunion.

What is the narrative situation?

Following the decision to proceed as Rāma instructed, Vibhīṣaṇa arranges Sītā’s ceremonial preparation and escorts her securely to Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vibhīṣaṇa’s responsible leadership—he ensures security, decorum, and respectful treatment of Sītā.