Shloka 1

सीताभर्त्सना

The Ogresses’ Threats to Sita and Her Vow of Fidelity

Devanagari script

ततः सीतामुपागम्य राक्षस्यो विकृताननाः।परुषं परुषा नार्य ऊचुस्तां वाक्यमप्रियम्।।5.24.1।।

Transliteration

tataḥ sītām upāgamya rākṣasyo vikṛtānanāḥ |

paruṣaṃ paruṣā nārya ūcus tāṃ vākyam apriyam || 5.24.1 ||

Translation

ततः सीतामुपागम्य राक्षस्यो विकृताननाः। परुषं परुषा नार्य ऊचुस्तां वाक्यमप्रियम्॥

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb: then/thereafter)

• sītām: Sītā
• sītām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• upāgamya: having approached
• upāgamya: Kriya (क्रिया/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-√gam (गम् धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), अर्थ: उपगम्य (having approached)

• rākṣasyaḥ: ogresses
• rākṣasyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• vikṛtānanāḥ: with hideous faces
• vikṛtānanāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vikṛta-ānana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समास: विकृतं आननं यस्याः (having deformed faces)

• paruṣam: harshly
• paruṣam: Prakaraṇa (प्रकरण/Adverbial manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: paruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणवत् द्वितीया-एकवचन-रूपेण (adverbial accusative: harshly)

• paruṣāḥ: harsh
• paruṣāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying rākṣasyaḥ)

• nāryaḥ: women
• nāryaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• ūcuḥ: said; spoke
• ūcuḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (वच् धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural), परस्मैपद

• tām: to her; that (Sītā)
• tām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• vākyam: words
• vākyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• apriyam: unpleasant
• apriyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-priya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying vākyam)

Context

Then the hideous ogresses approached Sita and spoke these harsh words in an unbecoming manner:

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rākṣasīs

FAQs

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

The scene contrasts dharma’s protection of the vulnerable with adharma’s mob-like cruelty; righteous speech avoids harm and upholds truth and compassion.

What is the narrative situation?

A group of rākṣasīs closes in on Sītā and begins a coordinated verbal assault to force compliance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s endurance and unwavering truthfulness (satya) amid abuse are central to the episode.