Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 25, Shloka 16

सीताविलापः

Sita’s Lament amid Rākṣasī Threats

Devanagari script

तं पद्मदलपत्राक्षं सिंहविक्रान्तगामिनम्।धन्याः पश्यन्ति मे नाथं कृतज्ञं प्रियवादिनम्।।5.25.16।।

Transliteration

taṃ padma-dala-patrākṣaṃ siṃha-vikrānta-gāminam | dhanyāḥ paśyanti me nāthaṃ kṛtajñaṃ priyavādinam || 5.25.16 ||

Translation

ధన్యులు వారు, నా నాథుని దర్శించగలవారు—పద్మదళంలాంటి నేత్రాలు కలవాడు, సింహంలా విక్రమంగా నడిచేవాడు, కృతజ్ఞ హృదయుడు, మధురంగా పలికేవాడు।

Word by Word

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2nd), Singular (एकवचन)

• पद्मदलपत्राक्षम्: lotus-petal-eyed
• पद्मदलपत्राक्षम्: Karma (कर्म/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म-दल-पत्र-अक्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2nd), Singular (एकवचन); bahuvrīhi ‘whose eyes are like lotus-petal-leaves’ qualifying तम्

• सिंहविक्रान्तगामिनम्: lion-gaited
• सिंहविक्रान्तगामिनम्: Karma (कर्म/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सिंह-विक्रान्त-गामिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2nd), Singular (एकवचन); ‘one whose gait is lion-like/majestic’ qualifying तम्

• धन्याः: the blessed (people)
• धन्याः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1st), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘fortunate people’

• पश्यन्ति: see
• पश्यन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया/Finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• मे: my
• मे: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive (षष्ठी/6th), Singular (एकवचन); enclitic form

• नाथम्: lord
• नाथम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2nd), Singular (एकवचन)

• कृतज्ञम्: grateful
• कृतज्ञम्: Karma (कर्म/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत-ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2nd), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies नाथम्

• प्रियवादिनम्: sweet-speaking
• प्रियवादिनम्: Karma (कर्म/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रिय-वादिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2nd), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies नाथम्

Context

In reply to the ogresses who thus spoke, noble Vaidehi, terribly frightened, said in a voice choked with tears.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma is embodied in character: gratitude, gentle speech, and dignified strength are praised as virtues worthy of reverence and emulation.

What is the narrative situation?

Separated from Rāma, Sītā recalls his qualities and laments that others, not she, are able to see him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s kṛtajñatā (gratitude) and priyavāditā (kind speech), alongside heroic bearing.