Shloka 13

विभीषणागमनम्

Vibhīṣaṇa’s Arrival and the Debate on Refuge

Devanagari script

तेनसीताजनस्थानाद्धृताहत्वाजटायुषम् ।रुद्दाचविवशादीनाराक्षसीभिस्सुरक्षिता ।।6.17.13।।

Transliteration

tena sītā janasthānād dhṛtā hatvā jaṭāyuṣam | ruddhā ca vivaśā dīnā rākṣasībhiḥ surakṣitā ||6.17.13||

Translation

彼（ラーヴァナ）はジャナスターナより、ジャターユを討ち果たしてシーターを奪い去った。彼女はいま囚われ、なすすべもなく嘆き沈み、羅刹女たちに厳重に守られている。

Word by Word

तेनby him

सीताSita

जनस्थानात्from Janasthana

धृताcarried off

हत्वाhaving killed

जटायुषम्Jatayu

रुद्धाconfined

चand

विवशाhelpless

दीनाwretched

राक्षसीभिःby rakshasis

सुरक्षिताwell guarded

Context

Vibheeshana, having addressed Ravana in harsh language, reached Rama and Lakshmana in a short while.

Characters & Entities

Sītā

Rāvaṇa

Janasthāna

Jatāyu

Rākṣasīs

FAQs

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

Adharma is identified by harm and coercion: the verse highlights the unrighteousness of violence (killing Jatāyu) and abduction/imprisonment (Sītā’s confinement).

What is the narrative situation?

The poem recapitulates the key wrongs that led to the war: Sītā’s abduction from Janasthāna, Jatāyu’s death while resisting, and Sītā’s guarded captivity among rākṣasīs.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s endurance and inner steadfastness under oppression (dharma as unwavering fidelity and moral strength), contrasted with Rāvaṇa’s adharma.