Shloka 2.118.38

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

Devanagari script

तस्य बुद्धिरियं जाता चिन्तयानस्य सन्ततम्।स्वयंवरं तनूजायाः करिष्यामीति धीमतः।।2.118.38।।

Transliteration

tasya buddhir iyaṁ jātā cintayānasya santatam | svayaṁvaraṁ tanūjāyāḥ kariṣyāmīti dhīmataḥ || 2.118.38 ||

Translation

As he pondered continually, this resolve arose in the wise king: “I shall hold a svayaṁvara for my daughter.”

Context

After constantly pondering over the matter, the wise king arrived at the decision to perform a swayamvara for his daughter.

Characters & Entities

• Janaka
• Sītā
• svayaṁvara

FAQs

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

When ordinary options fail, dharma seeks a fair and principled procedure—here, svayaṁvara—as a socially valid means to locate true worth.

What is the narrative situation?

Janaka resolves to conduct a svayaṁvara to find an appropriate husband for Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Practical wisdom: choosing an institutionally recognized, merit-testing path rather than forcing an unsuitable match.