Shloka 5
सीतया लक्ष्मणप्रेषणम् — Sita urges Lakshmana to seek Rama
The crisis of the ‘distressed voice’
सौमित्रे मित्ररूपेण भ्रातुस्त्वमसि शत्रुवत्।।3.45.5।।यस्त्वमस्यामवस्थायां भ्रातरं नाभिपत्स्यसे।
saumitre mitrarūpeṇa bhrātus tvam asi śatruvat | yas tvam asyām avasthāyāṁ bhrātaraṁ nābhipatsyase || 3.45.5 ||
ഹേ സൗമിത്രേ, സുഹൃത്തിന്റെ രൂപം ധരിച്ചിട്ടും നീ സഹോദരനോട് ശത്രുവിനെപ്പോലെയാണ്; ഈ ദുരവസ്ഥയിൽ നീ സഹോദരന്റെ അടുക്കൽ പോകുന്നില്ല.
I will drink deadly poison or enter fire and die, but will not touch any other man even with my feet.
FAQs
It raises the dharmic expectation of loyalty and timely aid to one’s brother/leader in danger, while also showing how fear can push someone into harsh, ethically questionable speech.
Sītā, alarmed for Rāma’s safety, tries to compel Lakṣmaṇa to leave her and run to Rāma.
The verse highlights the ideal of fraternal devotion (expected of Lakṣmaṇa), contrasted with Sītā’s anxious urgency.