Shloka 5.68.14

सीताया यशोधर्मविचारः — Sita’s Counsel on Honor, Rescue-Strategy, and Hanuman’s Reassurance

Devanagari script

बलैस्तु सङ्कुलां कृत्वा लङ्कां परबलार्दनः।मां नयेद्यदि काकुत्स्थस्तत्तस्य सदृशं भवेत्।।।।

Transliteration

balais tu saṅkulāṃ kṛtvā laṅkāṃ parabalārdanaḥ | māṃ nayedyadi kākutsthas tat tasya sadṛśaṃ bhavet ||

Translation

But if Kakutstha—crusher of the enemy’s forces—were to overwhelm Laṅkā with his might and then lead me away, that would be worthy of him.

Context

'If Rama, the slayer of the enemy army, could fill Lanka with his arrows and take me that will be a good sight for him to see.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma (Kākutstha)
• Laṅkā

FAQs

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

Dharma is the restoration of justice through rightful strength: evil should be confronted and subdued openly, so that rescue is not merely escape but moral re-ordering.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā outlines the proper form of her rescue: Rāma should defeat Laṅkā’s hostile power and then bring her back.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s commitment to heroic propriety (kṣātra-dharma) and to Rāma’s fitting public vindication.