Shloka 13

अरण्यकाण्डे एकोनषष्टितमः सर्गः

Maricha’s Mimic Cry and the Rama–Lakshmana–Sita Confrontation

Devanagari script

विस्वरं व्याहृतं वाक्यं लक्ष्मण त्राहि मामिति।न भवत्या व्यथा कार्या कुनारीजनसेविता।।।।

Transliteration

visvaraṃ vyāhṛtaṃ vākyaṃ lakṣmaṇa trāhi mām iti |

na bhavatyā vyathā kāryā kunārī-jana-sevitā ||

Translation

‘ലക്ഷ്മണാ, എന്നെ രക്ഷിക്കൂ!’—ഈ വാക്കുകൾ വികൃതമായ, തെറ്റിയ സ്വരത്തിൽ ഉച്ചരിക്കപ്പെട്ടതാണ്. സാധാരണ മൂഢസ്ത്രീപോലെ നീ വ്യാകുലപ്പെടേണ്ട.

Word by Word

• विस्वरम्: in a distorted voice
• विस्वरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: visvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; agrees with वाक्यम्

• व्याहृतम्: uttered
• व्याहृतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vyāhṛta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; vi-ā-√hṛ/हृ)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Neuter, Accusative, Singular; agrees with वाक्यम्

• वाक्यम्: statement
• वाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• लक्ष्मण: O Lakshmana
• लक्ष्मण: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th), Singular

• त्राहि: save (me)!
• त्राहि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √trā (धातु)
• Form: Imperative (लोट्), 2nd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

• माम्: me
• माम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Accusative (2nd), Singular

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Quotative particle

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध-निपात)

• भवत्या: by you (lady)
• भवत्या: Adhikarana/Agent-in-instruction (अधिकरण/उपदेश-कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhavatī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd), Singular; polite 2nd-person reference ‘by you/for you’

• व्यथा: distress
• व्यथा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vyathā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• कार्या: to be done/should be made
• कार्या: Vidheyavisheshana (विधेय-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kārya (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √kṛ)
• Form: Gerundive (तव्यत्/यत् sense), Feminine, Nominative, Singular; predicate adjective with implied ‘to be done’

• कुनारीजनसेविता: (like) that of one who associates with low women
• कुनारीजनसेविता: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kunārījana + sevita (प्रातिपदिक + कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular; compound: कुनारीजन (low/mean women) + सेविता (served/associated with, PPP of √sev); used predicatively about ‘vyathā’ (distress like that of...)

Context

'Lakshmana, save me' are the words uttered in an altered tone. Like an ordinary, low-born woman you are not to feel concerned for this.

Characters & Entities

• Lakshmana
• Sita
• Rama

FAQs

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

Dharma is self-control and discernment under provocation: one must not abandon duty due to fear-inducing illusions or emotionally charged sounds.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakshmana continues persuading Sita that the cry is a ruse; he discourages panic so he can remain at his post.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfast guardianship and mental firmness—Lakshmana resists being emotionally coerced away from protecting Sita.