Valmiki Ramayana 5.16.19 — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 16, Shloka 19

षोडशः सर्गः (Sarga 16): Hanumān’s Recognition of Sītā and Renewed Lament

Devanagari script

सर्वान् भोगान्परित्यज्य भर्तृस्नेहबलात्कृता।अचिन्तयित्वा दुःखानि प्रविष्टा निर्जनं वनम्।।5.16.19।।संतुष्टा फलमूलेन भर्तृशुश्रूषणे रता।या परां भजते प्रीतिं वनेऽऽपि भवने यथा।।5.16.20।।सेयं कनकवर्णाङ्गी नित्यं सुस्मितभाषिणी।सहते यातनामेतामनर्थानामभागिनी।।5.16.21।।

Transliteration

sarvān bhogān parityajya bhartṛ-sneha-balāt kṛtā | acintayitvā duḥkhāni praviṣṭā nirjanaṃ vanam ||5.16.19||

Translation

ಪತಿಪ್ರೇಮದ ಬಲದಿಂದ ಪ್ರೇರಿತಳಾಗಿ ಅವಳು ಎಲ್ಲ ಭೋಗವಿಲಾಸಗಳನ್ನು ತ್ಯಜಿಸಿ, ದುಃಖಗಳನ್ನು ಲೆಕ್ಕಿಸದೆ ನಿರ್ಜನ ವನಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಿದಳು.

Word by Word

• sarvān: all
• sarvān: Karma (कर्म; within object phrase)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifier of bhogān)

• bhogān: enjoyments, luxuries
• bhogān: Karma (कर्म/Object of parityajya)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• parityajya: having given up
• parityajya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-√tyaj (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्/य-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), ‘having abandoned’

• bhartṛsnehabalāt: from the strength of love for her husband
• bhartṛsnehabalāt: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान; cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhartṛ-sneha-bala (प्रातिपदिक; भर्तृ + स्नेह + बल)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; हेतौ (cause)

• kṛtā: impelled, made (to do so)
• kṛtā: Karta (कर्ता; predicate participle of Sītā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (PPP), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘made/impelled’ (i.e., thus resolved)

• acintayitvā: not thinking of
• acintayitvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: a-√cint (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), ‘not considering’

• duḥkhāni: sorrows
• duḥkhāni: Karma (कर्म/Object of acintayitvā)
• Type: Noun
• Root: duḥkha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• praviṣṭā: entered
• praviṣṭā: Karta (कर्ता; predicate participle of Sītā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√viś (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (PPP), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘entered’

• nirjanam: desolate
• nirjanam: Karma (कर्म; within object phrase)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nirjana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier of vanam)

• vanam: forest
• vanam: Karma (कर्म/Object of praviṣṭā)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

Context

Sagacious Hanuman, eyes dimmed with tears, thought for a short while on the plight of Sita and lamented

Characters & Entities

• Sita
• Rama

FAQs

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

Voluntary sacrifice for righteousness: Sita chooses hardship to uphold marital fidelity and shared duty, showing dharma as a conscious commitment rather than mere circumstance.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanuman recalls Sita’s earlier decision to accompany Rama into exile, highlighting her renunciation and endurance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Tyāga (renunciation) and steadfast devotion—Sita’s willingness to embrace suffering for a righteous bond.