Shloka 2.118.3

अनसूयोपदेशः तथा सीताया स्वयंवरकथा (Anasuya’s Counsel and Sita’s Swayamvara Narrative)

Devanagari script

यद्यप्येष भवेद्भर्ता ममाऽर्ये वृत्तवर्जितः।अद्वैधमुपचर्तव्यस्तथाप्येष मया भवेत्।।2.118.3।।

Transliteration

yady apy eṣa bhaved bhartā mamārye vṛttavarjitaḥ | advaidham upacartavyas tathāpy eṣa mayā bhavet ||2.118.3||

Translation

O noble lady, even if it should happen that my husband is devoid of good conduct, even so he must be attended upon by me without wavering.

Context

O noble lady, even if my husband is devoid of good conduct, he should be obeyed without showing any hesitation.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• husband (bhartā)

FAQs

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

It articulates a stringent ideal of marital duty (pativratā-dharma): steadfast commitment and service without inner wavering, framed as a personal vow of conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

This verse functions as a moral assertion within the Sītā–Anasūyā exchange in the Southern Recension stream, expressing Sītā’s stance on wifely duty.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s unwavering resolve (niścaya) and commitment to an ideal of duty-based loyalty.