Shloka 2.39.21

एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः — Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma

Devanagari script

एष स्वभावो नारीणामनुभूय पुरा सुखम्।अल्पामप्यापदं प्राप्य दुष्यन्ति प्रजहत्यपि।।2.39.21।।

Transliteration

eṣa svabhāvo nārīṇām anubhūya purā sukham |

alpām apy āpadaṁ prāpya duṣyanti prajahaty api || 2.39.21 ||

Translation

This, it is said, is the nature of women: having once enjoyed happiness, on meeting even a slight adversity, they reproach—and may even abandon.

Context

Though they have enjoyed all pleasures (with their husbands) earlier, they censure them in the wake of the slightest trouble or even abandon them. This is the nature of women.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā

FAQs

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

The verse functions as a warning against fickleness in relationships: Dharma is portrayed as steadiness in adversity rather than attachment only to pleasure.

What is the narrative situation?

With exile impending, elders counsel Sītā using conventional moral generalizations to stress that she should not act in a way considered blameworthy—namely, deserting her husband in hardship.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Constancy (sthāiratā) and endurance (kṣānti) in maintaining one’s chosen duty.