Shloka 57

सुन्दरकाण्डे अष्टपञ्चाशः सर्गः

हनुमद्वृत्तान्तकथनम्, सीताभिज्ञान-प्रदानम्, लङ्कादाह-वर्णनम्

Devanagari script

अदूरे शिंशुपावृक्षात्पश्यामि वरवर्णिनीम्।।5.58.55।।श्यामां कमलपत्राक्षीमुपवासकृशाननाम्।तदेकवासस्संवीतां रजोध्वस्तशिरोरुहाम्।।5.58.56।।शोकसन्तापदीनाङ्गीं सीतां भर्तृहिते स्थिताम्।राक्षसीभिर्विरूपाभिः क्रूराभिरभिसंवृताम्।।5.58.57।।मांसशोणितभक्षाभिर्व्याघ्रीभिर्हरिणीमिव।

Transliteration

śokasantāpadīnāṅgīṃ sītāṃ bhartṛhite sthitām |

rākṣasībhir virūpābhiḥ krūrābhir abhisaṃvṛtām || 5.58.57 ||

māṃsaśoṇitabhakṣābhir vyāghrībhir hariṇīm iva |

Translation

シーターは悲嘆と責め苦により身は衰えていたが、夫の安寧を願う心に揺るぎなく立っていた。だが肉と血を食らう醜悪で残忍なラークシャシーたちに取り囲まれ、雌鹿が雌虎に囲まれるがごとくであった。

Word by Word

शोकसन्तापदीनाङ्गीम्whose limbs were weak from grief and anguish

सीताम्Sita

भर्तृहितेin her husband's interest

स्थिताम्standing/remaining

राक्षसीभिःby demonesses

विरूपाभिःugly

क्रूराभिःcruel

अभिसंवृताम्surrounded

मांसशोणितभक्षाभिःfeeding on flesh and blood

व्याघ्रीभिःby tigresses

हरिणीम्a doe

इवlike/as

Context

"Not far from the Simsupa tree I saw beautiful Sita, of dark complexion, with eyes like lotus petals, whose face was emaciated due to fasting, wearing only a single sari (the same one since her abduction) her locks filled with dust, pathetic looking, immersed in sorrow, meditating on her husband seated like a doe encircled by tigresses, surrounded by ugly and cruel shedemons fed on flesh and blood.

Characters & Entities

Sītā

rākṣasī (demonesses)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is constancy in righteousness: Sītā maintains fidelity and moral purpose (bhartṛ-hita) even when surrounded by violence and intimidation.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān describes Sītā’s condition in captivity—physically weakened by grief, yet morally unbroken—while demonesses guard and threaten her.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s steadfastness (dhṛti) and loyalty—her refusal to abandon righteousness despite extreme fear and isolation.