Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 27, Shloka 2

त्रिजटास्वप्नवर्णनम्

Trijata’s Dream-Omens and the Rakshasis’ Reversal

Devanagari script

ततः सीतामुपागम्य राक्षस्यो घोरदर्शनाः।पुनः परुषमेकार्थमनर्थार्थमथाब्रुवन्।।5.27.2।।

Transliteration

tataḥ sītām upāgamya rākṣasyo ghoradarśanāḥ |

punaḥ paruṣam ekārtham anarthārtham athābruvan ||5.27.2||

Translation

Bấy giờ, những nữ rākṣasī dung mạo ghê rợn lại tiến đến gần Sītā, rồi một lần nữa buông lời thô bạo—một mối đe dọa thẳng thừng, báo trước tai họa nặng nề.

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (काल/क्रम-अव्यय)

• सीताम्: Sita
• सीताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sītā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• उपागम्य: having approached
• उपागम्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa√gam (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), action prior to main verb

• राक्षस्यः: the demonesses
• राक्षस्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rākṣasī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• घोरदर्शनाः: of dreadful appearance
• घोरदर्शनाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ghora-darśana (प्रातिपदिक; components: ghora + darśana)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural; bahuvrīhi: 'those whose appearance is terrible'

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punar (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (पुनरावृत्ति-अव्यय)

• परुषम्: harshly
• परुषम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; adverbial accusative qualifying speech

• एकार्थम्: having a single purport
• एकार्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka-artha (प्रातिपदिक; components: eka + artha)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; qualifies (implicit) वचनम्/शब्दम्

• अनर्थार्थम्: aimed at harm/ill
• अनर्थार्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anartha-artha (प्रातिपदिक; components: anartha + artha)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; qualifies (implicit) वचनम्/शब्दम्

• अथ: then/and
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunctive particle (समुच्चय/अनन्तर-अव्यय)

• अब्रुवन्: they spoke
• अब्रुवन्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √brū (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person, Plural, Parasmaipada

Context

"Dressed in white garlands and clothes, the two brothers, tigers among men, glowing in their effulgence approached Janaki.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rākṣasīs

FAQs

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

The verse highlights adharma through intimidation and coercion: moral force is not established by threats. In the Ramayana’s dharmic frame, righteousness relies on truth and restraint, not fear-based compulsion.

What is the narrative situation?

In Aśoka-vana at Laṅkā, Sītā remains under guard; the rākṣasīs approach her again to pressure her with harsh, threatening speech.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast to the rākṣasīs’ cruelty, Sītā’s steadfastness is implied—her commitment to truth (satya) and fidelity despite intimidation.