Shloka 5.21.9
सीताया रावणं प्रति धर्मोपदेशः (Sita’s Dharmic Admonition to Ravana)
इह सन्तो न वा सन्ति सतो वा नानुवर्तसे।।।।तथाहि विपरीता ते बुद्धिराचारवर्जिता।
giriṃ kuberasya gato 'tha vā ālayaṃ sabhāṃ gato vā varuṇasya rājñaḥ |
asaṃśayaṃ dāśarather na mokṣyase mahādrumaḥ kāla-hato 'śaner iva ||
Even if you fled to Kubera’s mountain, or to the dwelling and assembly-hall of King Varuṇa, you will surely not escape Dāśarathi (Rāma)—as a mighty tree, struck by fate, cannot evade the thunderbolt.
"Are there no pious men around or are you not heeding their words? Your mind is perverted and inclined to commit a forbidden act.
No refuge protects one who persists in adharma; cosmic order ensures accountability.
Sītā declares that Rāvaṇa cannot evade Rāma even by seeking divine or oceanic protection, concluding her warning.
Unshakable moral certainty—Sītā speaks as one anchored in truth and justice.