Shloka 3.9.29

सीताया धर्मोपदेशः—शस्त्रसंयोगदोषकथा (Sita’s Counsel on Dharma and the Peril of Weapon-Association)

Devanagari script

तदार्य कलुषा बुद्धिर्जायते शस्त्रसेवनात्।।3.9.29।।पुनर्गत्वा त्वयोध्यायां क्षत्रधर्मं चरिष्यसि।

Transliteration

mithyāvākyaṃ na te bhūtaṃ na bhaviṣyati rāghava |

kuto 'bhilāṣaṇaṃ strīṇāṃ pareṣāṃ dharmanāśanam ||

Translation

O Rāghava, false speech has never been yours, nor shall it ever be. How then could desire for other men’s women arise in you—an act that destroys their dharma?

Context

Lord, when we handle the weapon, the mind gets vitiated. (Only) after returning to Ayodhya can you perform the duty of a kshatriya.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma (Rāghava)

FAQs

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

Satya (truthfulness) is presented as an essential mark of Rāma’s dharma; from such truthfulness follows moral impossibility of violating another household’s virtue.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā argues from Rāma’s established character: since he is unwavering in truth, he cannot be suspected of immoral desire that would ruin others’ dharma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s steadfast satya and moral integrity (śīla), understood as consistent across past and future.