Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 19, Shloka 20
सीताव्यथा
वर्णनम् / Sītā’s Distress and Rāvaṇa’s Attempt at Coercive Allurement
एकया दीर्घया वेण्या शोभमानामयत्नतः।नीलया नीरदापाये वनराज्या महीमिव।।।।
ekayā dīrghayā veṇyā śobhamānām ayatnataḥ |
nīlayā nīradāpāye vanarājyā mahīm iva ||
Hanya dengan sejalur tocang panjang, terjaga tanpa upaya, dia tetap tampak indah—laksana bumi saat hujan reda, ditandai satu garis gelap rimba pepohon.
She looked woeful seated on the bare earth like the broken branch of a tree cut and fallen down on the ground.
FAQs
True worth is not dependent on display; dharma and inner nobility can remain evident even when one is deprived of normal care and adornment.
The poet continues describing Sītā’s condition in captivity: neglected outwardly, yet still naturally radiant.
Tejas with simplicity—quiet dignity that does not seek ornamentation to prove value.