Shloka 2.39.30
एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः — Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma
मितं ददाति हि पिता मितं माता मितं सुतः।अमितस्य हि दातारं भर्तारं का न पूजयेत्।।2.39.30।।
mitaṃ dadāti hi pitā mitaṃ mātā mitaṃ sutaḥ |
amitasya hi dātāraṃ bhartāraṃ kā na pūjayet ||2.39.30||
A father gives happiness only in measure; a mother gives in measure; a son gives in measure. But a husband is held to be a giver of boundless happiness—what woman would not honor such a husband?
While the happiness that the father, mother and son give is limited, a husband gives unlimited happiness. Which wife will not worship such a husband?
It articulates a normative dharmic hierarchy of relationships in which the husband-wife bond is treated as central to a woman’s life and duty, and therefore worthy of reverence and service.
Continuing her address to Kauśalyā, Sītā justifies her unwavering attachment to Rāma and her decision to share his hardship by emphasizing the traditional esteem accorded to the husband.
Sītā’s reverence (pūjā-bhāva) and commitment to marital fidelity are foregrounded as her guiding virtues.