Shloka 30

अशोकवनिकायां सीतादर्शनम्

Sita Seen in the Ashoka Grove

Devanagari script

इष्टां सर्वस्य जगतः पूर्णचन्द्रप्रभामिव।।।।भूमौ सुतनुमासीनां नियतामिव तापसीम्।

Transliteration

iṣṭāṃ sarvasya jagataḥ pūrṇacandraprabhām iva | bhūmau sutanum āsīnāṃ niyatām iva tāpasīm ||

Translation

満月の光のように世のすべてに愛されるその細身の御方は、地に座し、苦行者のように身を慎み、心を制していた。

Word by Word

• iṣṭām: beloved, dear
• iṣṭām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: iṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• sarvasya: of all
• sarvasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन; सम्बन्ध (possessive)

• jagataḥ: of the world
• jagataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jagat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• pūrṇa-candra-prabhām: the radiance of the full moon
• pūrṇa-candra-prabhām: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūrṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + candra (प्रातिपदिक) + prabhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी/तत्पुरुष-समासः (full-moon's radiance)

• iva: like, as
• iva: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय (particle of comparison)

• bhūmau: on the ground
• bhūmau: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन; अधिकरण (location)

• sutanum: the slender woman
• sutanum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: su-tanu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (good/slender-bodied woman)

• āsīnām: seated
• āsīnām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āsīna (कृदन्त; √ās धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; वर्तमानकाले क्त-प्रत्ययान्त/निष्ठा-रूप (past participial adjective) अर्थे ‘seated’

• niyatām: disciplined, austere
• niyatām: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niyata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय

• tāpasīm: an ascetic woman
• tāpasīm: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāpasī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; उपमान (as an ascetic woman)

Context

Just as the radiance of the full moon is cherished by all, this lady was liked by every one in this world. With her lovely figure she was seated on the ground like an austere ascetic.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown as inner discipline (niyama) and dignity under suffering: Sītā’s restraint and simplicity reflect moral strength rather than outward display.

What is the narrative situation?

In Laṅkā’s Aśoka-grove, Hanumān finally beholds Sītā and notes her noble presence despite captivity and distress.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s steadfastness and self-restraint—her capacity to remain composed and principled even in adversity.