Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 37, Shloka 52
हनूमत्सीतासंवादः
Hanuman’s Offer of Rescue and Sita’s Dharmic Refusal
अथवा युध्यमानस्य पतेयं विमुखस्य ते।पतितां च गृहीत्वा मां नयेयुः पापराक्षसाः।।।।
athavā yudhyamānasya pateyaṃ vimukhasya te | patitāṃ ca gṛhītvā māṃ naye yuḥ pāparākṣasāḥ ||
أو لعلّي، وأنت تقاتل وقد انصرف وجهك لحظةً، أسقط؛ فإذا سقطتُ أمسك بي أولئك الرّاكشاسا الآثمون وحملوني بعيدًا من جديد.
"Or else, while you are engaged in fighting and turn your attention the other way I might fall down and the sinful ogres may bear me away.
FAQs
Dharma requires safeguarding the vulnerable with certainty, not partial protection; Sītā highlights that a rescue that risks recapture fails its moral purpose.
Sītā describes a scenario where she falls during combat and is immediately re-seized by rākṣasas.
Protective wisdom—Sītā prioritizes secure deliverance over dramatic but risky action.