Shloka 6.118.23

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

Devanagari script

शत्रुघ्नेवाथसुग्रीवेराक्षसेवाविभीषणे ।निवेशयमनस्सीतेयथावासुखमात्मनः ।।6.118.23।।

Transliteration

śatrughne vātha sugrīve rākṣase vā vibhīṣaṇe | niveśaya manaḥ sīte yathā vā sukham ātmanaḥ ||

Translation

O Sītā, set your mind on Śatrughna, or on Sugrīva, or on the Rākṣasa Vibhīṣaṇa—or wherever your own happiness may lie.

Context

"Sita! You can go to Shatrughna or else Sugriva or even Rakshasa Vibheeshana, wherever you feel like to live."

Characters & Entities

• Sita
• Shatrughna
• Sugriva
• Vibhishana

FAQs

Why did Rama suggest Sita could go to Shatrughna, Sugriva, or Vibhishana?

Rama spoke these harsh words to establish his detachment and adherence to Rajadharma (the duty of a king), prioritizing social norms and honor over personal attachment. This extreme stance was a precursor to Sita proving her purity through the Agnipariksha.

What is the significance of this verse in the context of Dharma?

This verse highlights the conflict between personal love and public duty (Lokapavada). Rama asserts that his war was fought to uphold Dharma and honor, not merely for personal desire, thereby testing Sita's truth (Satya) and purity before the world.