Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 38, Shloka 8
अयोध्याकाण्डे अष्टत्रिंशः सर्गः
Sita in Bark Garments; Public Outcry and Dasaratha’s Lament
रामेण यदि ते पापे किञ्चित्कृतमशोभनम्।अपकारः क इह ते वैदेह्या दर्शितोऽधमे।।।।
rāmeṇa yadi te pāpe kiñcit kṛtam aśobhanam | apakāraḥ ka iha te vaidehyā darśito ’dhame ||
पापिनी! यदि राम ने तुम्हारे प्रति कुछ भी अनुचित किया हो, तो बताओ; अधमे! यहाँ वैदेही ने तुम्हें कौन-सा अपकार दिखाया है?
O sinful woman! O wretch! Rama might have done something unbecoming to you, but what offence has Sita committed?
FAQs
Dharma demands moral accountability: even if one claims injury from a person, it is unrighteous to transfer punishment onto another who is innocent.
Daśaratha confronts Kaikeyī: even granting her grievance against Rāma, he insists Sītā has committed no wrong to deserve hardship.
Daśaratha’s insistence on justice and proper attribution of fault.