Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 39, Shloka 23
एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः
Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma
न कुलं न कृतं विद्या न दत्तं नापि सङ्ग्रहः।स्त्रीणां गृह्णाति हृदयमनित्यहृदया हि ताः।।2.39.23।।
na kulaṁ na kṛtaṁ vidyā na dattaṁ nāpi saṅgrahaḥ |
strīṇāṁ gṛhṇāti hṛdayam anityahṛdayā hi tāḥ || 2.39.23 ||
Ni la lignée, ni les bienfaits d’autrefois, ni le savoir, ni les présents, ni même les richesses amassées ne gagnent le cœur d’une femme, car l’on dit que leurs cœurs sont inconstants.
Neither family traditions nor benefits received, nor education nor affection nor gifts nor even accumulated wealth attract women's hearts. Their minds are unstable indeed.
FAQs
The implied ethical teaching is to anchor one’s conduct not in material incentives or social advantages but in steadfast Dharma—constancy and truth of commitment.
The verse belongs to a set of admonitions delivered in the tense moment around exile, aiming to strengthen Sītā’s resolve toward faithful companionship.
Steadfastness (niṣṭhā) rather than attachment to wealth, status, or comfort.