Shloka 5.24.8
सीताभर्त्सना — The Ogresses’ Threats to Sita and Her Vow of Fidelity
न मानुषी राक्षसस्य भार्या भवितुमर्हति।
कामं खादत मां सर्वा न करिष्यामि वो वचः।।5.24.8।।
na mānuṣī rākṣasasya bhāryā bhavitum arhati |
kāmaṃ khādata māṃ sarvā na kariṣyāmi vo vacaḥ ||5.24.8||
“A human woman ought not to become the wife of a rākṣasa. Eat me if you wish—all of you; I will not do as you say.”
' A human being ought not to become wife of a demon. Devour me if you want. I refuse to accept your advice.'
Dharma here is marital fidelity and refusal to legitimize coercion. Sītā asserts what is ‘arhati/na arhati’—what is and is not morally permissible.
Under threat and intimidation, Sītā rejects the demand that she accept a rākṣasa as husband, choosing death over wrongdoing.
Fearless adherence to principle: Sītā prefers bodily harm to moral compromise.