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Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.23.17

Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, sarga 23: Rāma asks Sītā to remain in Ayodhyā. Rāma reveals the exile and asks Sītā to respect Bharata’s authority, honour the Queens and care for his grieving parents

In the sequence: she asks why he has returned without the parasol, fans, ceremonial escort, auspicious rites, and other signs she expected

2.23.17

abhiṣeko yadā sajjaḥ kim idānīm idaṃ tava
apūrvo mukhavarṇaś ca na praharṣaś ca lakṣyate

When the consecration is all prepared, what is this now with you? An unwonted hue is on your face, and no gladness is to be seen.

Words: abhiṣeko — the consecration; yadā — when; sajjaḥ — prepared, ready; kim idānīm — what now; idaṃ tava — this of yours; apūrvo — unwonted, unprecedented; mukhavarṇaś ca — and the complexion of the face; na — not; praharṣaś ca — and joy; lakṣyate — is seen

Composed by Maharṣi Vālmīki, the ādikavi of the ādikāvya: the first poet of the first poem. Sanskrit: The Vālmīki-Rāmāyaṇa: Critical Edition, Oriental Institute, Baroda, 1960–1975 (gen. eds. G. H. Bhatt, U. P. Shah); IAST from GRETIL (Göttingen). Translation and word glosses: Claude Opus 4.6–4.7; summaries and sequences: ChatGPT Astra (machine-made). Numbering follows the Critical Edition, not the vulgate (e.g. Gita Press, valmikiramayan.net), so sarga and verse numbers can differ from those editions.