Shloka 18

द्विचत्वारिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 42): Omens in Laṅkā, Report to Rāvaṇa, and the Kinkara Assault

Devanagari script

जानकीरक्षणार्थं वा श्रमाद्वा नोपलभ्यते।अथवा कश्श्रमस्तस्य सैव तेनाभिरक्षिता।।5.42.18।।

Transliteration

jānakī-rakṣaṇārthaṃ vā śramād vā nopalabhyate | athavā kaḥ śramas tasya saiva tenābhirakṣitā ||5.42.18||

Translation

ജാനകിയെ സംരക്ഷിക്കാനായി അവൻ ആ സ്ഥലം വിട്ടുവച്ചതോ, അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ക്ഷീണത്താലോ—നമുക്ക് വ്യക്തമല്ല. എന്നാൽ അവന് ക്ഷീണം എങ്ങനെയുണ്ടാകും? തീർച്ചയായും അവളെ മാത്രം സംരക്ഷിക്കാനായി അവൻ അവിടെ കൈവച്ചില്ല.

Word by Word

जानकी-रक्षण-अर्थम्for the purpose of protecting Janaki

वाor

श्रमात्from fatigue; due to tiredness

वाor

नnot

उपलभ्यतेis understood/ascertained

अथवाor else

कःwhat?/which?

श्रमःfatigue; exertion

तस्यof him

साshe

एवindeed; alone

तेनby him

अभिरक्षिताprotected/guarded

Context

"He has spared the simsupa tree with lovely, tender leaves and flowers which is a chosen resort by Sita.

Characters & Entities

Sītā (Jānakī)

Rāvaṇa

vānarā (Hanumān)

FAQs

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

Protection of the vulnerable is central to dharma; the verse frames restraint not as weakness but as purposeful guardianship.

What is the narrative situation?

The rākṣasī-s interpret why Sītā’s area was not damaged, concluding it was deliberate protection rather than exhaustion.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Hanumān’s protective resolve and unwavering capability (implied tirelessness).