Shloka 3.56.20

सीताया रावणनिन्दा — अशोकवनिकाप्रवेशः (Sita’s Rebuke of Ravana; Removal to the Ashoka Grove)

Devanagari script

क्रीडन्ती राजहंसेन पद्मषण्डेषु नित्यदा।हंसी सा तृणषण्डस्थं कथं पश्येत मद्गुकम्।।।।

Transliteration

idaṃ śarīraṃ nissaṃjñaṃ bandha vā khātayasva vā | nedaṃ śarīraṃ rakṣyaṃ me jīvitaṃ vāpi rākṣasa || na tu śakṣyāmy upakrośaṃ pṛthivyāṃ dātum ātmanaḥ |

Translation

This body is now devoid of feeling—bind it or bury it as you please. To me, neither this body nor life itself is worth preserving at the cost of virtue; I cannot surrender my name to disgrace upon this earth.

Context

How can a female swan ever sporting in lotus-ponds in the company of a royal swan look at the water-crow resting on a grassy land?

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa
• pṛthivī (earth)

FAQs

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

Dharma is valued above bodily survival: protecting moral integrity and reputation for chastity is presented as higher than preserving life.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā, held by Rāvaṇa, declares she would rather face death than accept dishonor or be branded unchaste.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s uncompromising honor, self-restraint, and truthfulness—choosing dharma over fear.