Valmiki Ramayana 2.39.24: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 39, Shloka 24
एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः · Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma
साध्वीनां हि स्थितानां तु शीले सत्ये श्रुते शमे ।
स्त्रीणां पवित्रं परमं पतिरेको विशिष्यते ॥२४॥
sādhvīnāṁ hi sthitānāṁ tu śīle satye śrute śame |
strīṇāṁ pavitraṁ paramaṁ patir eko viśiṣyate ||24||
ಆದರೆ ಶೀಲ, ಸತ್ಯ, ಶ್ರುತಿ-ವಿದ್ಯೆ ಮತ್ತು ಶಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಥಿರವಾಗಿರುವ ಸಾಧ್ವೀ ಸ್ತ್ರೀಯರಿಗೆ ಪತಿಯೊಬ್ಬನೇ ಪರಮ ಪವಿತ್ರತೆ—ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ ಪಾವನಕಾರಕನಾಗಿ ವಿಶಿಷ್ಟನಾಗಿರುತ್ತಾನೆ.
But for those virtuous women whose minds are fixed in chastity, truth, scriptures and stability, the husband occupies a distinguished place and is considered supremely holy.
FAQs
It defines an ideal of Dharma for a virtuous wife: truthfulness, self-control, and fidelity, where devotion to the husband is portrayed as a principal sacred duty.
As Rāma is being sent to the forest, Sītā is addressed with a value-framework that elevates steadfast marital duty, especially under hardship.
Sītā’s archetypal virtue—pativratā-niṣṭhā (single-minded fidelity)—grounded in satya and śama.
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