Shloka 3

सीतावियोगे रामविलापः

Rāma’s Lament in Separation from Sītā

Devanagari script

त्वमशोकस्य शाखाभिः पुष्पप्रियतया प्रिये।आवृणोषि शरीरं ते मम शोकविवर्धिनी।।3.62.3।।

Transliteration

tvam aśokasya śākhābhiḥ puṣpa-priyatayā priye | āvṛṇoṣi śarīraṃ te mama śoka-vivardhinī || 3.62.3 ||

Translation

പ്രിയേ, പുഷ്പപ്രിയത്വം കൊണ്ടു നീ അശോകവൃക്ഷത്തിന്റെ ശാഖകളാൽ നിന്റെ ശരീരം മറയ്ക്കുന്നു; എന്നാൽ ഹേ എന്റെ ശോകം വർധിപ്പിക്കുന്നവളേ, അതു തന്നെ എന്റെ ദുഃഖം കൂടെയാക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

त्वम्you

अशोकस्यof the Ashoka tree

शाखाभिःwith branches

पुष्पप्रियतयाdue to love of flowers

प्रियेO beloved

आवृणोषिyou cover

शरीरम्body

तेyour

ममmy

शोकविवर्धिनीO increaser of my sorrow

Context

O Lakshmana, subduer of the enemy! this loss of Sita and me should be explained in detail to my mother.

Characters & Entities

Rāma

Sītā

Aśoka tree

FAQs

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

Dharma appears here as steadfast fidelity: Rāma’s mind is wholly anchored in his lawful, devoted bond with Sītā, and his grief reflects the seriousness with which he holds marital responsibility.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā is missing; Rāma searches and calls out to her, imagining she is playfully hiding among trees, even as his fear grows.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s unwavering devotion (patnī-niṣṭhā) and emotional sincerity—he does not treat the relationship lightly and openly expresses anguish.