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Shloka 23

सीतान्वेषणारम्भः

The Search for Sita Begins

ततो दुःखाभिसन्तप्तो लक्ष्मणो वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।।।विचरन्दण्डकारण्यं भ्रातरं दीप्ततेजसम्।

tato duḥkhābhisantapto lakṣmaṇo vākyam abravīt |

vicaran daṇḍakāraṇyaṃ bhrātaraṃ dīptatejasam ||

அப்போது துயரால் எரிந்த லக்ஷ்மணன், தண்டகாரண்யத்தில் உலாவிக்கொண்டே, ஒளிமிகு தன் அண்ணனிடம் இவ்வாறு உரைத்தான்।

tataḥthen
tataḥ:
Kāla (काल)
TypeIndeclinable
Roottataḥ (अव्यय)
FormAdverb (कालवाचक)
duḥkhābhisantaptaḥtormented by grief
duḥkhābhisantaptaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootduḥkha (प्रातिपदिक) + abhi-santapta (√tap + kta)
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular; तत्पुरुष ‘afflicted by sorrow’ (P.P.P. kta)
lakṣmaṇaḥLakṣmaṇa
lakṣmaṇaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootlakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
vākyamwords/speech
vākyam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootvākya (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
abravītsaid
abravīt:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√brū (धातु)
FormImperfect (लङ्), 3rd person, Singular
vicaranwandering
vicaran:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootvi-√car (धातु) + śatṛ
FormPresent active participle (शतृ), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; ‘wandering’
daṇḍakāraṇyamDaṇḍaka forest
daṇḍakāraṇyam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootdaṇḍaka (प्रातिपदिक) + āraṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular; तत्पुरुष proper place-name ‘Daṇḍaka-forest’
bhrātarambrother
bhrātaram:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootbhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
dīptatejasamradiant in power
dīptatejasam:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootdīpta (√dīp + kta) + tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular; कर्मधारय ‘of blazing splendor’ qualifying bhrātaram

Going about the Dandaka forest Lakshmana, consumed by sorrow, said to his brother, glowing with brilliance:

L
Lakshmana
R
Rama
D
Dandaka forest (Daṇḍakāraṇya)

FAQs

Dharma is expressed as fraternal support: Lakshmana does not abandon Rama in crisis but stands with him, offering counsel and companionship in adversity.

After failing to locate Sītā, the brothers continue searching in the Dandaka forest, and Lakshmana begins speaking to encourage Rama.

Loyalty and service—Lakshmana’s readiness to share Rama’s burden and speak for his reassurance.