Shloka 1

हनूमत्सीतासंवादः

Hanuman’s Offer of Rescue and Sita’s Dharmic Refusal

Devanagari script

सीता तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा पूर्णचन्द्रनिभानना।हनूमन्तमुवाचेदं धर्मार्थसहितं वचः।।।।

Transliteration

sītā tad-vacanaṃ śrutvā pūrṇa-candra-nibhānanā | hanūmantam uvācedaṃ dharmārtha-sahitaṃ vacaḥ ||

Translation

Nang marinig ni Sītā ang kanyang mga salita—siya na may mukhang tulad ng ganap na buwan—ay nagsalita kay Hanumān ng mga salitang kaayon ng dharma at may marunong na layon.

Word by Word

• sītā: Sita
• sītā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• tat-vacanam: that statement
• tat-vacanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम) + vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: 'tasya vacanam' (that speech)

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Kriyā-hetu (क्रियाहेतु)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śru (धातु)
• Form: Ktvā (absolutive), avyaya; prior action

• pūrṇa-candra-nibhā-ānanā: whose face is like the full moon
• pūrṇa-candra-nibhā-ānanā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūrṇa + candra + nibhā + ānana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; bahuvrīhi: 'pūrṇacandra-sadṛśam ānanaṃ yasyāḥ sā'

• hanūmantam: Hanuman
• hanūmantam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hanūmat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (Perfect), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana; Parasmaipada

• idam: this
• idam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of vacaḥ (this speech)

• dharma-artha-sahitam: endowed with righteousness and purpose
• dharma-artha-sahitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma + artha + sahita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of vacaḥ; dvandva in base 'dharmārthau' + sahita (endowed with)

• vacaḥ: speech / words
• vacaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Dvitīyā (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana; object of uvāca

Context

To the righteous words (about Rama's grief) of Hanuman, Sita with a face like the full moon replied :

Characters & Entities

• Sita
• Hanuman
• Dharma
• Artha

FAQs

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

Speech guided by dharma and artha: the Ramayana repeatedly frames ideal conduct as words that are both righteous (dharma) and purposeful/beneficial (artha), not merely emotional.

What is the narrative situation?

A transition verse: after Hanumān’s report, Sītā prepares to reply with counsel that is ethically grounded and practically meaningful.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s discernment (viveka): even under suffering, she speaks in a principled and purposeful manner.