Shloka 5.21.6

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

Devanagari script

नाहमौपयिकी भार्या परभार्या सती तव।।।।साधु धर्ममवेक्षस्व साधु साधुव्रतं चर।

Transliteration

iha santo na vā santi sato vā nānuvartase |

tathā hi viparītā te buddhir ācāra-varjitā ||

Translation

Are there no good people here—or, though they exist, do you not follow them? For your understanding has turned perverse, stripped of right conduct.

Context

"I cannot be your lawful wife obtainable by your personal efforts. I am a chaste woman married to another man. (Being a king) examine the dharma honestly and adopt a pious way of life.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa
• santaḥ (the virtuous)

FAQs

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

Seeking and heeding wise counsel is part of dharma; ignoring the virtuous corrupts judgment and leads to adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā challenges Rāvaṇa’s moral isolation—either he lacks good advisors or refuses to listen to them.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral exhortation (hitopadeśa)—Sītā attempts to reform even an aggressor through truth.