Shloka 5.21.15

सीताया रावणं प्रति धर्मोपदेशः (Sita’s Dharmic Admonition to Ravana)

Devanagari script

शक्या लोभयितुं नाहमैश्वर्येण धनेन वा।।।।अनन्या राघवेणाहं भास्करेण प्रभा यथा।

Transliteration

śakyā lobhayituṃ nāham aiśvaryeṇa dhanena vā | ananyā rāghaveṇāhaṃ bhāskareṇa prabhā yathā ||

Translation

I cannot be tempted—neither by power nor by wealth. I belong to Rāghava alone, inseparable from him as radiance is from the sun.

Context

"I cannot be lured by your power or wealth. I am inseparable from Raghava like light from the Sun.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa
• Rāghava (Rāma)
• Bhāskara (Sun)

FAQs

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

True dharma is not purchasable: integrity and marital fidelity (pativratā-dharma) are not swayed by wealth or power.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa attempts to win Sītā through threats and allurements; she refuses, declaring exclusive devotion to Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness (niścaya) and incorruptibility—Sītā’s unwavering loyalty to dharma despite coercion.