Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 118, Shloka 6
सीताप्रत्याख्यानम् / Rama’s Post-Victory Address to Sītā
Public Opinion and Royal Duty
सम्प्राप्तमवमानंयस्तेजसा न प्रमार्जति ।कस्तस्यपुरुषार्थोमहताप्यल्पचेतसः ।।6.118.6।।
samprāptam avamānaṁ yas tejasā na pramārjati |
kas tasya puruṣārtho mahatāpy alpa-cetasaḥ ||6.118.6||
If a man does not wipe away an insult that has come upon him by his own strength, what use is even great prowess to one of petty mind?
"Now you see the result of my effort. I am successful and fulfilled my vow. Today I am independent."
FAQs
The verse presents a duty-based ethic of honor: strength and status are meaningful only when used to uphold dignity and counter wrongdoing.
Rāma justifies the necessity of his campaign by arguing that ignoring grave insult would render valor pointless.
Self-respect anchored in duty: using power for principled restoration of order, not for vanity.