Shloka 32
सीताया रावणनिन्दा — अशोकवनिकाप्रवेशः
Sita’s Rebuke of Ravana; Removal to the Ashoka Grove
इति प्रतिसमादिष्टा राक्षस्यो रावणेन ताः।अशोकवनिकां जग्मुर्मैथिलीं परिगृह्य तु।।।।सर्वकालफलैर्वृक्षैर्नानापुष्पफलैर्वृताम्।सर्वकालमदैश्चापि द्विजैस्समुपसेविताम्।।।।
iti pratisamādiṣṭā rākṣasyo rāvaṇena tāḥ |
aśokavanikāṃ jagmur maithilīṃ parigṛhya tu ||
sarvakāla-phalair vṛkṣair nānā-puṣpa-phalair vṛtām |
sarvakāla-madaiś cāpi dvijaiḥ samupasevitām ||
ครั้นถูกทศกัณฐ์ (ราวณะ) มีบัญชาแล้ว นางรากษสีเหล่านั้นก็จับนางไมถิลีพาไปยังสวนอาโศก—ซึ่งรายล้อมด้วยไม้ผลออกผลทุกฤดูกาล ประดับด้วยดอกไม้และผลไม้นานาพรรณ และมีหมู่นกผู้เริงร่าแวะเวียนอยู่ตลอดปี
Thus instructed by Ravana, the demonesses took Sita into the Asoka grove, which was full of perenmal fruits and flowers of different kinds, where trees yielded fruits of all seasons and birds were always cheerful.
FAQs
The contrast between a beautiful, life-filled grove and Sītā’s forced confinement underscores that external splendor cannot justify unrighteous acts. Dharma is measured by conduct (satya and restraint), not by surroundings.
Following Rāvaṇa’s command, the demonesses escort Sītā into the Aśoka grove, a richly described garden setting that becomes the place of her imprisonment.
Sītā’s steadfastness is implied: even when placed amid beauty and comfort, her inner commitment to truth and fidelity (satya, pativratā-dharma) will not be shaken.