Shloka 6.24.43

लङ्कानिरीक्षणं व्यूहविन्यासश्च (Survey of Lanka and Deployment of the Battle Formation)

Devanagari script

नजानातिपुरावीर्यममयुद्धेसराघवः ।ममचापमयींवीणांशरकोणैःप्रवादिताम् ।।।।ज्याशब्दतुमुलांघोरामार्तभीतमहास्वनाम् ।नाराचतलसन्नादांतांममाहितवाहिनीम् ।।।।अवगाह्यमहारङ्गंवादयिष्याम्यहंरणे ।

Transliteration

atra sā mṛgaśābākṣī rāvaṇenoparudhyate |

abhibhūtā graheṇeva lohitāṅgena rohiṇī ||

Translation

Here, doe-eyed Sītā is being held in restraint by Rāvaṇa—like Rohiṇī overwhelmed by a planet of red hue.

Context

"He has not known my valour in war. Entering the enemy's army holding my formidable Veena, making challenging sounds with the sharp heads of arrows, causing tumultuous noise like the sound of cry of destitute and frightened ones with iron arrows, I will play the Veena of my bow in hand."

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa
• Rohiṇī

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the moral contrast between restraint imposed by injustice (Adharma) and the rightful obligation to liberate the oppressed; captivity by force is ethically condemned.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma’s attention is on Sītā’s condition in Laṅkā, described through an astronomical simile of a star/asterism being afflicted.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s steadfastness under oppression is implied; her purity is contrasted with Rāvaṇa’s coercion.