Shloka 38

सीताहरणम्

Ravana reveals his true form and abducts Sita

Devanagari script

सा तमुद्वीक्ष्य सुश्रोणी रावणस्य वशं गता।3.49.38।।समाक्रन्दद्भयपरा दुःखोपहतया गिरा।

Transliteration

sā tam udvīkṣya suśroṇī rāvaṇasya vaśaṃ gatā || 3.49.38 ||

samākrandad bhayaparā duḥkhopahatayā girā |

Translation

彼を見て、麗しい腰のシーターは、すでにラーヴァナの支配に落ち、恐れに打たれて泣き叫んだ。悲しみがその声を砕いていた。

Word by Word

• सा: she
• सा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• उद्वीक्ष्य: having looked at/seen
• उद्वीक्ष्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud-√īkṣ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having done)

• सुश्रोणी: the fair-hipped lady (Sītā)
• सुश्रोणी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: su-śroṇī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारय (सु + श्रोणी)

• रावणस्य: of Rāvaṇa
• रावणस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāvaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन

• वशम्: control, power
• वशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• गता: went/was brought into
• गता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gam (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगे ‘gone/come to’

• समाक्रन्दत्: cried out, screamed
• समाक्रन्दत्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā-√krand (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• भयपरा: overcome with fear
• भयपरा: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhaya-para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (भये परा = devoted to/overcome by fear)

• दुःखोपहतया: with (a voice) struck by sorrow
• दुःखोपहतया: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: duḥkha-upahata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (दुःखेन उपहता = struck by sorrow)

• गिरा: by/with speech, voice
• गिरा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gir (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

Context

The heavy-hipped Sita felt frightened in the grip of Ravana. When she saw Jatayu she screamed, shaken by sorrow:

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa
• Jatāyu

FAQs

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

The verse highlights adharma’s violence (abduction and coercion) and the dharmic impulse to call for help and witness—so truth and justice can be pursued.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā, under Rāvaṇa’s control, sees Jatāyu and cries out in fear and anguish.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s resolve to seek righteous aid rather than submit silently to wrongdoing.