Shloka 5.24.38

सीताभर्त्सना — The Ogresses’ Threats to Sita and Her Vow of Fidelity

Devanagari script

उत्पाट्य वा ते हृदयं भक्षयिष्यामि मैथिलि।यदि मे व्याहृतं वाक्यं न यथावत्करिष्यसि।।5.24.38।।

Transliteration

utpāṭya vā te hṛdayaṃ bhakṣayiṣyāmi maithili |

yadi me vyāhṛtaṃ vākyaṃ na yathāvat kariṣyasi ||5.24.38||

Translation

O Maithilī, if you do not carry out my spoken command properly, I will tear out your heart and devour it.

Context

'O Mythili! if you heed not my words of advice, I will pluck out your heart and eat it up'.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā (Maithilī)

FAQs

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

The verse exemplifies adharma through violence and coercion. The Ramayana’s dharma framework condemns forcing compliance by terror; truth and righteousness cannot be produced by threats.

What is the narrative situation?

When persuasion fails, a rākṣasī resorts to extreme intimidation, threatening bodily harm to compel Sītā’s submission.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage rooted in truth—Sītā’s refusal to abandon dharma even under threat of death.