Shloka 55
सुन्दरकाण्डे अष्टपञ्चाशः सर्गः
हनुमद्वृत्तान्तकथनम्, सीताभिज्ञान-प्रदानम्, लङ्कादाह-वर्णनम्
अदूरे शिंशुपावृक्षात्पश्यामि वरवर्णिनीम्।।।।श्यामां कमलपत्राक्षीमुपवासकृशाननाम्।तदेकवासस्संवीतां रजोध्वस्तशिरोरुहाम्।।।।शोकसन्तापदीनाङ्गीं सीतां भर्तृहिते स्थिताम्।राक्षसीभिर्विरूपाभिः क्रूराभिरभिसंवृताम्।।।।मांसशोणितभक्षाभिर्व्याघ्रीभिर्हरिणीमिव।
adūre śiṃśupā-vṛkṣāt paśyāmi vara-varṇinīm |
śyāmāṃ kamala-patrākṣīm upavāsa-kṛśānanām |
tad-eka-vāsaḥ-saṃvītāṃ rajo-dhvasta-śiroruhām |
śoka-santāpa-dīnāṅgīṃ sītāṃ bhartṛ-hite sthitām |
rākṣasībhir virūpābhiḥ krūrābhir abhisaṃvṛtām |
māṃsa-śoṇita-bhakṣābhir vyāghrībhir hariṇīm iva ||
Hindi kalayuan sa punong śiṃśupā, nakita ko si Sītā, ang marikit sa likás na ganda—maitim ang kutis, matang gaya ng talulot ng lotus, at ang mukha’y payat dahil sa pag-aayuno. Nakabalot siya sa iisang kasuotan, at ang buhok niya’y nadungisan ng alikabok. Nanghihina ang katawan sa dalamhati at pagdurusa, gayunma’y nananatiling tapat sa kapakanan ng kanyang asawa. Ngunit napaliligiran siya ng mga rākṣasī na pangit at malulupit, kumakain ng laman at dugo—gaya ng isang usa na napapalibutan ng mga tigresang babae.
"Not far from the Simsupa tree I saw beautiful Sita, of dark complexion, with eyes like lotus petals, whose face was emaciated due to fasting, wearing only a single sari (the same one since her abduction) her locks filled with dust, pathetic looking, immersed in sorrow, meditating on her husband seated like a doe encircled by tigresses, surrounded by ugly and cruel she-demons fed on flesh and blood.
FAQs
Fidelity to dharma under coercion: Sītā’s steadfastness—despite fear, deprivation, and threats—embodies satya and unwavering marital righteousness.
From his vantage point in the Aśoka grove, Hanumān finally sees Sītā, weakened by fasting and grief, surrounded and guarded by cruel rākṣasīs.
Sītā’s dhairya (fortitude) and satya-niṣṭhā (commitment to truth and fidelity), shown by enduring suffering without abandoning righteousness.