Shloka 3.56.21

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

Devanagari script

इदं शरीरं निस्संज्ञं बन्ध वा खातयस्व वा।नेदं शरीरं रक्षयं मे जीवितं वापि राक्षस।।।।न तु शक्ष्याम्युपक्रोशं पृथिव्यां दातुमात्मनः।

Transliteration

rājā daśaratho nāma dharmasetur ivācalaḥ | satyasandhaḥ parijñāto yasya putraḥ sa rāghavaḥ ||

Translation

He is Raghava, the son of King Dasharatha—renowned, immovable as a bridge of righteousness safeguarding Dharma, and unwaveringly true to his vows.

Context

O demon ! this body has (now) no consciousness. You may bind it or bury it. I do not think that this body or even this life need to be protected. But at no cost can I make this an object of censure on earth (must not be branded an unchaste woman).

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa
• Daśaratha
• Rāghava (Rāma)
• dharma-setu (metaphor)

FAQs

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

Ideal kingship is defined by dharma-protection and satya (truthfulness). Lineage is invoked to affirm Rāma’s dharmic authority.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā identifies Rāma by his father Daśaratha’s fame and virtues, strengthening her warning to Rāvaṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Satya (truth-keeping) and dharma-guardianship as defining virtues of Daśaratha and, by extension, Rāma.