Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 39, Shloka 24
एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः
Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma
साध्वीनां हि स्थितानां तु शीले सत्ये श्रुते शमे।स्त्रीणां पवित्रं परमं पतिरेको विशिष्यते।।2.39.24।।
sādhvīnāṁ hi sthitānāṁ tu śīle satye śrute śame |
strīṇāṁ pavitraṁ paramaṁ patir eko viśiṣyate || 2.39.24 ||
Doch für tugendhafte Frauen, die fest stehen in Keuschheit, Wahrheit, heiliger Lehre und Selbstzucht, ragt allein der Gatte als ihre höchste Heiligkeit hervor — der erhabenste Läuterer.
But for those virtuous women whose minds are fixed in chastity, truth, scriptures and stability, the husband occupies a distinguished place and is considered supremely holy.
FAQs
It defines an ideal of Dharma for a virtuous wife: truthfulness, self-control, and fidelity, where devotion to the husband is portrayed as a principal sacred duty.
As Rāma is being sent to the forest, Sītā is addressed with a value-framework that elevates steadfast marital duty, especially under hardship.
Sītā’s archetypal virtue—pativratā-niṣṭhā (single-minded fidelity)—grounded in satya and śama.