Shloka 34

सीताविलापः

Sītā’s Lament over the Illusory Head and Bow

Devanagari script

एवंलालप्यमानायांसीतायांतत्रराक्षसः ।अभिचक्रामभर्तारमनीकस्थःकृताञ्जलिः ।।6.32.34।।

Transliteration

evaṃ lālapyamānāyāṃ sītāyāṃ tatra rākṣasaḥ |

abhicakrāma bhartāram anīkasthaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ ||6.32.34||

Translation

സീത ഇങ്ങനെ വിലപിക്കുമ്പോൾ, അവിടെ കാവലായി നിന്നിരുന്ന ഒരു രാക്ഷസൻ കൈകൂപ്പി വന്ദനം ചെയ്ത് തന്റെ സ്വാമിയുടെ അടുക്കൽ ചെന്നു.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Prakāra-avyaya (manner adverb: thus)

• लालप्यमानायाम्: while (she) was lamenting/wailing
• लालप्यमानायाम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/locative absolute component)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lālap (धातु; denom.) + śānac (शानच्)
• Form: Present passive participle (शानच् in passive sense), Strīliṅga, Saptamī vibhakti (locative), Ekavacana; qualifying 'sītāyām'

• सीतायाम्: when Sita (was)
• सीतायाम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/locative absolute)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Saptamī vibhakti, Ekavacana; locative absolute with 'lālapyamānāyām'

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Place adverb

• राक्षसः: a Rakshasa
• राक्षसः: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• अभिचक्राम: approached
• अभिचक्राम: Kriyā (क्रिया/predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi + kram (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ-lakāra (imperfect), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana, Parasmaipada

• भर्तारम्: the lord/king (Ravana)
• भर्तारम्: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhartṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• अनीकस्थः: stationed in the troop/guard
• अनीकस्थः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anīka (प्रातिपदिक) + stha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: anīke sthaḥ; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; qualifying 'rākṣasaḥ'

• कृताञ्जलिः: with folded hands
• कृताञ्जलिः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + añjali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi: kṛtaḥ añjaliḥ yena; Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; qualifying 'rākṣasaḥ'

Context

While Sita was wailing in that manner, as said earlier, the Rakshasa guarding her approached the king and offered salutations with both hands.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rākṣasa (guard)
• Rāvaṇa (implied as ‘lord/master’)

FAQs

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

It shows the mechanics of power and obedience: even in an adharma-aligned court, protocol and duty to one’s superior are maintained—inviting reflection on the difference between loyalty and righteousness.

What is the narrative situation?

As Sītā laments, a guard leaves his post to report to the ruler about an arrival/urgent matter.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discipline and formal duty (though morally neutral here): the guard follows courtly etiquette and chain of command.