Shloka 2.24.25

कौशल्यारामसंवादः — Kausalya–Rama Dialogue on Exile-Dharma

Devanagari script

व्रतोपवासनिरता या नारी परमोत्तमा।भर्तारं नानुवर्तेत सा तु पापगतिर्भवेत्।।2.24.25।।

Transliteration

vratopavāsa-niratā yā nārī paramottamā | bhartāraṃ nānuvarteta sā tu pāpa-gatir bhavet || 2.24.25 ||

Translation

Even if a woman is most exemplary—devoted to vows and fasts—if she does not follow and stand by her husband, she would fall into an evil destiny.

Context

A woman may be highly pious engaged in vows and fastings, but if she does not follow her husband, she will be condemned to hell.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Kauśalyā
• Husband (Daśaratha as contextual referent)

FAQs

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

The verse asserts a role-based ethic: ritual piety (vows/fasts) is considered incomplete without fidelity to one’s primary relational duty within marriage.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma discourages Kauśalyā from leaving the palace by emphasizing her duty to remain aligned with Daśaratha rather than follow Rāma to the forest.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s insistence on maryādā—prioritizing established duties over emotion-driven choices.