Shloka 6.118.15

सीताप्रत्याख्यानम् / Rama’s Post-Victory Address to Sītā (Public Opinion and Royal Duty)

Devanagari script

विदितश्चास्तुभत्रंतेयोऽयंरणपरिश्रमः ।सुतीर्णःसुहृदांवीर्यान्नत्वदर्थंमयाकृतः ।।6.118.15।।रक्षतातुमयावृत्तपमवादं च सर्वतः ।प्रख्यातस्यात्मवंशस्यव्यङ्ग्यं च परिमार्जता ।।6.118.16।।

Transliteration

viditaś cāstu bhadraṃ te yo 'yaṃ raṇapariśramaḥ |

sutīrṇaḥ suhṛdāṃ vīryān na tvad-arthaṃ mayā kṛtaḥ ||6.118.15||

Translation

Sītā—be it known to you, and may good befall you: this toil of war, successfully carried through by the valor of my loyal friends, was not undertaken by me for your sake.

Context

"Sita! This effort in carrying out with the assistance of valiant friends is not done for your sake. Let it be known to you. I have done this to protect good conduct and my illustrious race from scandal and rid of obloquy from all sides."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sītā
• suhṛdaḥ (allied friends/companions)

FAQs

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

Rāma frames his action in terms of duty and public righteousness rather than private desire—an appeal to rājadharma and the primacy of moral reputation over personal attachment.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rāvaṇa is slain and Sītā is brought before Rāma, he speaks sternly, emphasizing that the war’s purpose was not personal reunion.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Self-restraint and adherence to duty (maryādā): Rāma presents himself as governed by principle and public responsibility.