Shloka 21

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

seyaṃ kanaka-varṇāṅgī nityaṃ susmita-bhāṣiṇī | sahate yātanām etām anarthānām abhāginī ||5.16.21||

Translation

ഇവളാണ് കനകവർണ്ണാംഗി, നിത്യവും സുസ്മിതമായി മൃദുവായി സംസാരിക്കുന്നവൾ; അനർത്ഥത്തിന്റെ പങ്കാളിയാകാത്ത അവൾ ഇന്ന് ഈ യാതന സഹിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• sā: that (she)
• sā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• iyam: this (she)
• iyam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• kanakavarṇāṅgī: golden-complexioned (lit. having golden-colored limbs)
• kanakavarṇāṅgī: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kanaka-varṇa-aṅgī (प्रातिपदिक; कनक + वर्ण + अङ्गी)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि-समास: ‘यस्या अङ्गानि कनकवर्णानि’

• nityam: always
• nityam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nityam (अव्यय/नित्य-प्रातिपदिक used adverbially)
• Form: अव्ययवत् क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• susmitabhāṣiṇī: speaking with a gentle smile
• susmitabhāṣiṇī: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su-smita-bhāṣiṇī (प्रातिपदिक; सु + स्मित + भाषिणी)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• sahate: endures
• sahate: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sah (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष? actually 3rd person, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• yātanām: torture, torment
• yātanām: Karma (कर्म/Object of sahate)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yātanā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• etām: this
• etām: Karma (कर्म; within object phrase)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम-विशेषण (qualifier of yātanām)

• anarthānām: of calamities/misfortunes
• anarthānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anartha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• abhāginī: one who had no share (of such misfortunes before)
• abhāginī: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-bhāginī (प्रातिपदिक; न + भागिनी)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

Context

"On account of her immense love towards her husband she has given up all kinds of luxuries, not caring for suffering. She was satisfied with fruits and roots in the desolate forest. Engaged in serving her husband, she experienced utmost joy as in her own palace. A lady of golden complexion who had not experienced suffering earlier is subjected to sorrow and is tolerating calamities in this way

Characters & Entities

• Sita

FAQs

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

Forbearance under injustice: dharma may require enduring suffering without surrendering one’s integrity, especially when coercion aims to break one’s truth and fidelity.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanuman contrasts Sita’s naturally gentle, fortunate life with her present torture in captivity, heightening the moral urgency of her rescue.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kṣamā/titikṣā (patient endurance) alongside unwavering dignity—Sita’s inner steadiness amid trauma.