Shloka 19
सीताप्रत्याख्यानम् / Rama’s Post-Victory Address to Sītā
Public Opinion and Royal Duty
कःपुमांस्तुकुलेजातस्स्त्रयंपरगृहाषिताम् ।तेजस्वीपुनरादद्यात्सुहृल्लेख्येनचेतसा ।।6.118.19।।
kaḥ pumāṃs tu kule jātaḥ striyaṃ paragṛhoṣitām |
tejasvī punar ādad yāt suhṛl-lekhyena cetasā ||6.118.19||
Welcher ruhmreiche Mann, in edlem Geschlecht geboren, würde wissentlich eine Frau wieder annehmen, die im Hause eines anderen geweilt hat—zumal wenn selbst Freunde ihn dafür richten würden?
"Which eminent man born in a good race will again consciously accept a wife who lived in another's home?"
FAQs
The verse reflects a social-ethical framework where personal decisions are constrained by communal judgment; dharma is treated as inseparable from public trust and reputation.
Rāma justifies his rejection by appealing to what society—and even well-wishers—would deem acceptable for a royal man.
Concern for honor and social credibility, presented as necessary for a ruler and exemplar of maryādā.