Shloka 9
Adhiratha-Rādhā Discover the Casket; Vasuṣeṇa (Karṇa) is Adopted and Formed
तां दृष्टवा चारुसर्वाज्ञीं यानस्थां शोककर्शिताम् | मलोपचितसर्वाज्ञीं जटिलां कृष्णवाससम्,शिबिकामें बैठी हुई सर्वांगसुन्दरी सीता शोकसे दुबली हो गयी थीं। उनके समस्त अंगोंमें मैल जम गयी थी, सिरके बाल आपसमें चिपककर जटाके रूपमें परिणत हो गये थे और उनका वस्त्र काला पड़ा गया था
tāṃ dṛṣṭvā cāru-sarvāṅgīṃ yāna-sthāṃ śoka-karśitām | malopacita-sarvāṅgīṃ jaṭilāṃ kṛṣṇa-vāsasam ||
Markandeya said: “Seeing her—Sītā, lovely in every limb—seated in a conveyance yet wasted by grief, with dirt clinging to her whole body, her hair matted into tangled locks, and her garments darkened—(I understood the depth of her suffering).” The verse underscores how sorrow and captivity can strip away outward splendor, while also evoking compassion and the ethical duty to protect the innocent and uphold righteousness.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights compassion and moral sensitivity: external beauty can be eclipsed by suffering, and witnessing another’s distress should awaken dharmic responsibility—especially the duty to protect the vulnerable and respond to injustice.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes seeing Sītā in a pitiable state—seated in a conveyance, weakened by grief, unkempt and soiled—conveying the harshness of her captivity and the emotional weight of her ordeal.