Shloka 3.9.6

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

Devanagari script

स्वदारनिरतस्त्वं च नित्यमेव नृपात्मज।।3.9.6।।धर्मिष्ठस्सत्यसन्धश्च पितुर्निर्देशकारकः।

Transliteration

svadāra-niratas tvaṁ ca nityam eva nṛpātmaja |

dharmiṣṭhaḥ satya-sandhaś ca pitur nirdeśa-kārakaḥ || 3.9.6 ||

Translation

O prince, you are ever devoted to your own wife; steadfast in dharma, true to your word, and one who carries out your father’s commands.

Context

O prince, you are always faithful to your wife. You are righteous, truthful and obedient to your father's orders.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• father (Daśaratha, implied)
• Lakshmana (implicit via the larger Aranyakanda context, not named in this verse)

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as integrity in personal conduct—faithfulness in marriage, truthfulness in speech and vows, and dutiful obedience to rightful parental instruction.

What is the narrative situation?

In Aranyakanda, Rama is being described and evaluated through a set of ideal royal virtues, emphasizing why he is regarded as a model of righteous conduct.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Maryādā (ethical restraint): devotion to one’s spouse, commitment to truth (satya-sandha), and dutiful compliance with the father’s command.