Shloka 6.32.20

सीताविलापः (Sītā’s Lament over the Illusory Head and Bow)

Devanagari script

किंमांनप्रेक्षसेराजन् किंमांनप्रतिभाषसे ।बालांबाल्येनसम्प्राप्तांभार्यांमांसहचारिणीम् ।।6.32.20।।

Transliteration

kiṃ māṃ na prekṣase rājan kiṃ māṃ na pratibhāṣase |

bālāṃ bālyena samprāptāṃ bhāryāṃ māṃ sahacāriṇīm ||6.32.20||

Translation

“O King, why do you not look upon me? Why do you not speak to me—me, your wife, your companion, who came to you from my very youth?”

Context

"O King! I have come to you while I was young. I am your companion and wife also. Why are you not seeing me? Why are you not talking to me?"

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma

FAQs

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

The dharma of companionship (saha-dharma-cāriṇī) in marriage: Sītā asserts the sacred bond of shared life and duty, expecting mutual recognition and care.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā, overwhelmed by grief, addresses Rāma as if he could respond, lamenting his silence and apparent abandonment.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Constancy and loyalty—Sītā defines herself as the lifelong companion who remained aligned with her husband’s path.