Shloka 23

सीतान्वेषणारम्भः

The Search for Sita Begins

Devanagari script

ततो दुःखाभिसन्तप्तो लक्ष्मणो वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।।।विचरन्दण्डकारण्यं भ्रातरं दीप्ततेजसम्।

Transliteration

tato duḥkhābhisantapto lakṣmaṇo vākyam abravīt |

vicaran daṇḍakāraṇyaṃ bhrātaraṃ dīptatejasam ||

Translation

于是，罗什曼那被悲痛灼烧，在他们行走于檀陀迦林时，对那光辉炽盛的兄长开口说道。

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (कालवाचक)

• duḥkhābhisantaptaḥ: tormented by grief
• duḥkhābhisantaptaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: duḥkha (प्रातिपदिक) + abhi-santapta (√tap + kta)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; तत्पुरुष ‘afflicted by sorrow’ (P.P.P. kta)

• lakṣmaṇaḥ: Lakṣmaṇa
• lakṣmaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• vākyam: words/speech
• vākyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• abravīt: said
• abravīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √brū (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person, Singular

• vicaran: wandering
• vicaran: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-√car (धातु) + śatṛ
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; ‘wandering’

• daṇḍakāraṇyam: Daṇḍaka forest
• daṇḍakāraṇyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daṇḍaka (प्रातिपदिक) + āraṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; तत्पुरुष proper place-name ‘Daṇḍaka-forest’

• bhrātaram: brother
• bhrātaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhrātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• dīptatejasam: radiant in power
• dīptatejasam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīpta (√dīp + kta) + tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; कर्मधारय ‘of blazing splendor’ qualifying bhrātaram

Context

Going about the Dandaka forest Lakshmana, consumed by sorrow, said to his brother, glowing with brilliance:

Characters & Entities

• Lakshmana
• Rama
• Dandaka forest (Daṇḍakāraṇya)

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed as fraternal support: Lakshmana does not abandon Rama in crisis but stands with him, offering counsel and companionship in adversity.

What is the narrative situation?

After failing to locate Sītā, the brothers continue searching in the Dandaka forest, and Lakshmana begins speaking to encourage Rama.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Loyalty and service—Lakshmana’s readiness to share Rama’s burden and speak for his reassurance.