Shloka 31

रामायणकथासंक्षेपः — ब्रह्मोक्तो रामावतारवृत्तान्तः

Devanagari script

भर्त्सितां राक्षसीभिश्च रावणेन च रक्षसा / भव भार्येति वदता चिन्तयन्तीञ्च राघवम्

Transliteration

bhartsitāṃ rākṣasībhiśca rāvaṇena ca rakṣasā / bhava bhāryeti vadatā cintayantīñca rāghavam

Translation

Tourmentée par les rākṣasīs et par le rākṣasa Rāvaṇa—qui ne cessait de dire : « Sois mon épouse »—elle continuait à se souvenir de Rāghava (Rāma) dans son cœur.

Word by Word

• भर्त्सिताम्: (her) who was threatened/abused
• भर्त्सिताम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भर्त्सित (कृदन्त; √भर्त्स् धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त-क्त (past passive participle) — 'having been threatened/abused'

• राक्षसीभिः: by the demonesses
• राक्षसीभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षसी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• रावणेन: by Ravana
• रावणेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रावण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• रक्षसा: by the demon
• रक्षसा: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• भव: be (become)
• भव: Pravartaka (Command)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (imperative), मध्यम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• भार्या: wife
• भार्या: Karya/Predicate (Vidheyabhāva)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भार्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (उक्त-वाक्ये विधेय/प्रत्ययार्थ)

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (Quotation marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/वाक्य-समाप्ति सूचक अव्यय (quotative particle)

• वदता: by (him) saying
• वदता: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वदत् (कृदन्त; √वद् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; वर्तमानकृदन्त-शतृ (present active participle) — 'by (him) saying'

• चिन्तयन्तीम्: thinking (of)
• चिन्तयन्तीम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चिन्तयन्ती (कृदन्त; √चिन्त् धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; वर्तमानकृदन्त-शतृ (present active participle) — 'thinking/pondering'

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• राघवम्: Raghava (Rama)
• राघवम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राघव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

Speaker

Narrator (epic narrative voice); not a Vishnu–Garuda dialogue verse

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dharma as steadfast fidelity under duress; mind anchored in the righteous beloved despite external threats.

Vedantic Theme: Smṛti (remembrance) as inner refuge; sattvic resolve amid tamasic violence.

Application: In adversity, protect mental integrity by holding to one’s highest vow/value and refusing coercive compromise.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: forest-garden/prison-grove

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.143.32-35 (Hanumān’s reassurance, token, mission urgency, confrontation)

Characters & Entities

• Ravana
• Rakshasis
• Raghava (Rama)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the narrative?

It highlights Sītā’s unwavering fidelity and mental refuge in Rāma despite intimidation by Rāvaṇa and the rākṣasīs.

How does this verse portray inner strength?

Even under coercion (“be my wife”), she keeps her mind fixed on Rāma, showing resilience through remembrance and devotion.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain clarity of values under pressure; anchor the mind in a chosen ideal (dharma, truth, or a guiding principle) when facing intimidation.