Shloka 12

सीताया वनानुगमननिश्चयः

Sita’s Resolve to Accompany Rama to the Forest

Devanagari script

कुशकाशशरेषीका ये च कण्टकिनो द्रुमाः।तूलाजिनसमस्पर्शा मार्गे मम सह त्वया।।2.30.12।।

Transliteration

kuśakāśaśareṣīkā ye ca kaṇṭakino drumāḥ |

tūlājinasamasparśā mārge mama saha tvayā ||

Translation

మార్గంలో కుశ, కాశ, శర, ఈషీకా గడ్డి, అలాగే ముళ్ల చెట్లు కూడా—నేను నీతో కలిసి ఉంటే—నాకు పత్తి లేదా మృగచర్మంలా మృదువుగా అనిపిస్తాయి।

Word by Word

• kuśakāśaśareṣīkāḥ: kuśa, kāśa, śara and iṣīkā grasses
• kuśakāśaśareṣīkāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuśa + kāśa + śara + iṣīkā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (various grasses: kuśa, kāśa, śara, iṣīkā)

• ye: which / those
• ye: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; सम्बन्धक (relative pronoun)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• kaṇṭakinaḥ: thorny
• kaṇṭakinaḥ: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kaṇṭakin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (drumāḥ)

• drumāḥ: trees
• drumāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: druma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• tūlājinasamasparśāḥ: having a touch like cotton and deerskin
• tūlājinasamasparśāḥ: Kartṛ-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृसमानाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tūla + ajina + sama + sparśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-भावः: ‘tūlājina-sama-sparśa’ = having touch like cotton and antelope-skin; विशेषणम् (drumāḥ/te)

• mārge: on the path
• mārge: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mārga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• mama: for me / of me
• mama: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• saha: together with
• saha: Sahakāraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: सह-अव्यय (with)

• tvayā: you
• tvayā: Sahakāraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Context

While following you, I will feel no fatigue there on the way as if I am going on a pleasure-stroll or in a comfortable couch.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• Kuśa grass

FAQs

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

Dharma as transformative love aligned with righteousness: when one’s purpose is true, even harsh conditions are accepted without resentment.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā argues that the physical discomforts of the forest path will not trouble her if she can accompany Rama.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfast devotion and mental endurance—she shows the ability to bear difficulty through clarity of commitment.