Shloka 5.37.3
हनूमत्सीतासंवादः — Hanuman’s Offer of Rescue and Sita’s Dharmic Refusal
ऐश्वर्ये वा सुविस्तीर्णे व्यसने वा सुदारुणे।रज्ज्वेव पुरुषं बद्ध्वा कृतान्तः परिकर्षति।।।।
aiśvaryaṃ vā suvistīrṇaṃ vyasanaṃ vā sudāruṇam | rajjv eva puruṣaṃ baddhvā kṛtāntaḥ parikarṣati ||
“Whether one is spread out in vast prosperity or plunged into terrible adversity, Death drags a man along as if he were bound with a rope.”
"Death snatches a man tied with a cord, whether he is rolling in luxury or sinking in adversity.
Awareness of impermanence encourages righteous living: since death is impartial, one should cling to dharma and truth rather than pride in fortune or despair in suffering.
Amid crisis and uncertainty in Laṅkā, Sītā voices a sober reflection on fate and mortality while weighing choices and consequences.
Detachment and clarity: Sītā’s realism steadies decision-making and keeps her aligned with dharma under extreme pressure.