Valmiki Ramayana 2.117.22 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 117, Shloka 22

अत्र्याश्रमगमनम् तथा अनसूयोपदेशः

Arrival at Atri’s Hermitage and Anasuya’s Counsel

Devanagari script

नगरस्थो वनस्थो वा पापो वा यदि वा शुभः।यासां स्त्रीणां प्रियो भर्ता तासां लोका महोदयाः।।।।

Transliteration

nagarastho vanastho vā pāpo vā yadi vā śubhaḥ |

yāsāṃ strīṇāṃ priyo bhartā tāsāṃ lokā mahodayāḥ ||

Translation

„Ob der Gatte in der Stadt lebt oder im Wald, ob sündhaft oder tugendhaft: Jene Frauen, denen der Ehemann lieb bleibt, erlangen Welten großen Lohnes.“

Word by Word

• दुश्शीलः: of bad conduct
• दुश्शीलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुस् + शील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘पतिḥ’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• कामवृत्तः: licentious; following desire
• कामवृत्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काम + वृत्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘पतिḥ’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय

• धनैः: with wealth/riches
• धनैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय

• परिवर्जितः: deprived of/without
• परिवर्जितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परि + वर्ज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘पतिḥ’ इत्यस्य विशेषण (devoid of)

• स्त्रीणाम्: of women
• स्त्रीणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• आर्यस्वभावानाम्: of noble-natured
• आर्यस्वभावानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आर्य + स्वभाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘स्त्रीणाम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण (of noble nature)

• परमम्: supreme
• परमम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘दैवतम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• दैवतम्: deity
• दैवतम्: Pradhana (प्रधान/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैवत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेय (predicate nominative)

• पतिः: husband
• पतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Context

One who is devoted to her husband, whether he be in the city or in the forest, whether he is sinful or virtuous, will attain the most prosperous worlds.

Characters & Entities

• Anasūyā
• Sītā
• Husband (bhartṛ)
• Forest (vana)

FAQs

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

The verse asserts a traditional ideal: steadfast devotion within marriage is treated as a dharmic path bearing spiritual फल (results).

What is the narrative situation?

Anasūyā instructs Sītā, explaining the religious merit traditionally attributed to fidelity and loving commitment to one’s husband across circumstances.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Niṣṭhā (steadfastness) and prema (loyal love) maintained through changing external conditions.