Shloka 32
अशोकवनिकायां सीतादर्शनम्
Sita Seen in the Ashoka Grove
संसक्तां धूमजालेन शिखामिव विभावसोः।।।।तां स्मृतीमिव सन्दिग्धामृद्धिं निपतितामिव।
saṃsaktāṃ dhūmajālena śikhām iva vibhāvasaḥ | tāṃ smṛtim iva sandigdhām ṛddhiṃ nipatitām iva ||
Siya’y tulad ng apoy na ang liyab ay natatakpan ng lambat ng usok; tulad ng alaala na naging malabo, tulad ng kapalarang gumuho at nawala.
She was like the flames of fire obscured by smoke. She appeared like the text of Smriti of doubtful meaning, a treasure that has been thrown away;
FAQs
Dharma teaches that true worth (tejas, virtue) can be obscured by circumstance but not destroyed; righteous duty is to recognize the inner truth beneath outward ruin.
Hanumān struggles to reconcile Sītā’s famed radiance with the diminished appearance caused by sorrow and neglect.
Sītā’s inherent nobility—her inner radiance remains, though veiled by suffering.