Shloka 2.30.21

सीताया वनानुगमननिश्चयः — Sita’s Resolve to Accompany Rama to the Forest

Devanagari script

इमं हि सहितुं शोकं मुहूर्तमपि नोत्सहे।किं पुनर्दशवर्षाणि त्रीणि चैकं च दुःखिता।।2.30.21।।

Transliteration

imaṃ hi sahituṃ śokaṃ muhūrtam api notsahe | kiṃ punar daśa-varṣāṇi trīṇi caikaṃ ca duḥkhitā || 2.30.21 ||

Translation

I cannot endure this grief even for a single moment; what then of enduring it, a grieving woman, for fourteen years?

Context

I cannot bear this grief even for a moment, what to speak of fourteen (ten and threeand one) years of grieving.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma
• fourteen years (14)

FAQs

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

Dharma is argued through truthful acknowledgement of capacity: Sītā candidly states that separation contradicts her ability to live rightly and steadily.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā points to the length of exile—fourteen years—to show the impossibility of bearing separation for that duration.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Emotional truthfulness joined to steadfast commitment—she does not pretend detachment where it would be false.