Shloka 6.24.37

लङ्कानिरीक्षणं व्यूहविन्यासश्च (Survey of Lanka and Deployment of the Battle Formation)

Devanagari script

यदिमांप्रतियुध्येरन् देवगन्धर्वदानवाः ।नैवसीतांप्रदास्यामिसर्वलोकभयादपि ।।।।

Transliteration

yadi māṃ pratiyudhyeran devagandharvadānavāḥ |

naiva sītāṃ pradāsyāmi sarvalokabhayād api ||

Translation

Even if gods, gandharvas, and dānavas were to wage war against me—even out of fear of all the worlds—I will not give Sītā back.

Context

"Even if gods, Gandharvas and demons come to wage war with me, even if all the worlds threaten me, I shall not give away Sita."

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā
• devas
• gandharvas
• dānavas
• sarvaloka (all worlds)

FAQs

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

The verse warns against stubborn attachment to wrongdoing: refusing to correct adharma even under universal pressure shows moral collapse and invites inevitable ruin.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa openly rejects the counsel to return Sītā, declaring he will keep her regardless of opposition.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Negatively emphasized: humility and truthfulness are absent; instead, pride and possessiveness dominate.