Shloka 20
सीतान्वेषणविलापः
Rama’s Lament and Search for Sita
अहो त्वं कर्णिकाराद्य सुपुष्पैश्शोभसे भृशम्।कर्णिकारप्रिया साध्वी शंस दृष्टा प्रिया यदि।।3.60.20।।
aho tvaṁ karṇikārādya supuṣpaiḥ śobhase bhṛśam | karṇikārapriyā sādhvī śaṁsa dṛṣṭā priyā yadi || 3.60.20 ||
അഹോ, ഹേ കർണികാരവൃക്ഷമേ! ഇന്ന് നീ മനോഹരമായ പുഷ്പങ്ങളാൽ അത്യന്തം ശോഭിക്കുന്നു. കർണികാരപുഷ്പപ്രിയയായ ആ സാദ്വിയായ എന്റെ പ്രിയയെ നീ കണ്ടിട്ടുണ്ടെങ്കിൽ, എനിക്കു പറയുക.
O Karnikara tree with flowers in full bloom, tell me if you have seen my faithful beloved who is fond of karnikara flowers.
FAQs
Dharma appears as steadfast marital fidelity and responsibility: Rāma’s righteous duty as husband compels him to seek Sītā earnestly, even appealing to nature for truthful guidance.
After Sītā’s abduction, Rāma wanders in anguish through the forest, questioning trees and creatures as if they could testify truthfully about what they have seen.
Rāma’s devotion and unwavering commitment (pati-dharma in practice as protective love) is foregrounded—his mind is fixed on recovering Sītā.