Valmiki Ramayana 2.39.23 — 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 ||
Bukan keturunan, bukan jasa yang telah dibuat, bukan ilmu, bukan pemberian, bahkan bukan harta yang terkumpul yang dapat merebut hati seorang perempuan; sebab hati mereka, demikian dikatakan, memang tidak tetap.
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.
Ask anything about this verse
Curious about the meaning, context, or a word? Ask, and continue the conversation in the Vedapath app.
A free Google sign-in keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Valmiki Ramayana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.