Shloka 36
सीतया लक्ष्मणप्रेषणम् — Sita urges Lakshmana to seek Rama
The crisis of the ‘distressed voice’
लक्ष्मणेनैवमुक्ता सा रुदन्ती जनकात्मजा।प्रत्युवाच ततो वाक्यं तीव्रं बाष्पपरिप्लुता।।3.45.36।।
lakṣmaṇenaivam uktā sā rudantī janakātmajā | pratyuvāca tato vākyaṃ tīvraṃ bāṣpa-pariplutā ||3.45.36||
Ainsi interpellée par Lakṣmaṇa, la fille de Janaka se mit à pleurer ; puis, les yeux noyés de larmes, elle répondit d’une parole âpre et ardente.
At these words of Lakshmana Sita started crying. With eyes filled with tears she replied with harshness :
FAQs
The verse illustrates how grief and anger can distort speech; dharma calls for steadiness and truthfulness even amid emotional turmoil.
After Lakṣmaṇa’s rebuke and departure-intent, Sītā breaks into tears and responds sharply, escalating the conflict.
It foregrounds human vulnerability rather than virtue: Sītā’s distress shows how fear for loved ones can lead to painful words.