Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 19, Shloka 19
सीताव्यथा
वर्णनम् / Sītā’s Distress and Rāvaṇa’s Attempt at Coercive Allurement
गृहीतामालितां स्तम्भे यूथपेन विनाकृताम्।निःश्वसन्तीं सुदुःखार्तां गजराजवधूमिव।।।।
gṛhītām ālitāṃ stambhe yūthapena vinākṛtām |
niḥśvasantīṃ suduḥkhārtāṃ gajarājavadhūm iva ||
Dia menghela nafas dalam dukacita yang amat, bagaikan gajah betina diraja yang terikat pada tiang, terpisah daripada ketua kawanan.
On just seeing Ravana, the lord of demons from a distance, adorned with the best of ornaments the charming, young, blameles princess Vaidehi of beautiful waist trembled like a banana plant shaken by a strong wind.
FAQs
To bind and isolate the innocent is adharma. Dharma upholds freedom, protection, and rightful companionship; the verse condemns coercive captivity through a poignant animal analogy.
Sītā’s helpless confinement and grief are described as she languishes in Laṅkā, separated from Rāma.
Loyalty and steadfastness: her sorrow is the sorrow of separation, implying unwavering attachment to her rightful lord and to satya.