Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 37, Shloka 54
हनूमत्सीतासंवादः
Hanuman’s Offer of Rescue and Sita’s Dharmic Refusal
अहं वापि विपद्येयं रक्षोभिरभितर्जिता।त्वत्प्रयत्नो हरिश्रेष्ठ भवेन्निष्फल एव तु।।।।
ahaṃ vāpi vipadye yaṃ rakṣobhir abhitarjitā | tvatprayatno hariśreṣṭha bhaven niṣphala eva tu ||
मैं भी राक्षसों द्वारा भयभीत कर तर्जित होकर नष्ट हो जाऊँ; तब, हे हरिश्रेष्ठ, तुम्हारा यह प्रयत्न निश्चय ही निष्फल हो जाएगा।
"In such a case, caught and intimidated by the demons I may die. Then your efforts will be wasted.
FAQs
Dharma values purposeful action: an effort that predictably risks the protected person’s death is ethically unsound, even if motivated by goodwill.
Sītā explains that a botched escape could lead to her death under rākṣasa threats, nullifying Hanumān’s mission.
Accountability—Sītā measures plans by outcomes and responsibility, not emotion.