Shloka 5.37.54

हनूमत्सीतासंवादः — Hanuman’s Offer of Rescue and Sita’s Dharmic Refusal

Devanagari script

अहं वापि विपद्येयं रक्षोभिरभितर्जिता।त्वत्प्रयत्नो हरिश्रेष्ठ भवेन्निष्फल एव तु।।।।

Transliteration

ahaṃ vāpi vipadye yaṃ rakṣobhir abhitarjitā | tvatprayatno hariśreṣṭha bhaven niṣphala eva tu ||

Translation

Or I may perish, terrorized and threatened by the rākṣasas; then, O best of monkeys, your effort would indeed become fruitless.

Context

"In such a case, caught and intimidated by the demons I may die. Then your efforts will be wasted.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Hanumān
• rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Dharma values purposeful action: an effort that predictably risks the protected person’s death is ethically unsound, even if motivated by goodwill.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā explains that a botched escape could lead to her death under rākṣasa threats, nullifying Hanumān’s mission.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Accountability—Sītā measures plans by outcomes and responsibility, not emotion.