Shloka 6.116.40

सीतासान्त्वनम् / Hanuman Consoles Sita with the News of Victory

Devanagari script

राजसंश्रयवश्यानांकुर्वतीनांपराज्ञया ।विधेयानां च दासीनांकःकुप्यद्वानरोत्तम ।।6.116.40।।

Transliteration

rājasaṃśraya-vaśyānāṃ kurvatīnāṃ parājñayā | vidheyānāṃ ca dāsīnāṃ kaḥ kupyed vānarottama ||6.116.40||

Translation

O best of vānaras, who could be angry with maidservants who are bound to the king’s authority, acting only under another’s command and compelled to obey?

Context

"Foremost of Vanaras! Who will be angry? Being under the command of the king and being obedient maids, they did so according to king's order.

Characters & Entities

• Sita
• Hanuman
• Rākṣasī (female rākṣasas)
• King (implicit: Ravana’s authority)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes fairness in assigning blame: Sita argues one should not direct anger at subordinates compelled by a ruler’s command.

What is the narrative situation?

Sita responds to Hanuman’s request for permission to kill the rākṣasīs who guarded and threatened her.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sita’s compassion and justice-mindedness—she distinguishes between principal guilt and coerced obedience.