Valmiki Ramayana 2.39.28 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 39, Shloka 28

एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः

Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma

Devanagari script

न मामसज्जनेनार्या समानयितुमर्हति।धर्माद्विचलितुं नाहमलं चन्द्रादिव प्रभा।।2.39.28।।

Transliteration

na mām asajjanenāryā samānayitum arhati |

dharmād vicalituṁ nāham alaṁ candrād iva prabhā || 2.39.28 ||

Translation

ಆರ್ಯೇ, ನೀವು ನನ್ನನ್ನು ದುರ್ಜನನೊಡನೆ ಹೋಲಿಸುವುದು ಯುಕ್ತವಲ್ಲ. ನಾನು ಧರ್ಮದಿಂದ ವಿಚಲಿತನಾಗಲು ಅಸಮರ್ಥೆನು—ಚಂದ್ರನಿಂದ ಪ್ರಭೆ ಬೇರ್ಪಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲದಂತೆ.

Word by Word

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध-निपात)

• mām: me
• mām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular

• asajjanena: with a wicked person
• asajjanena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asajjana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन)

• āryā: the noble lady (you)
• āryā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āryā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular

• samānayitum: to equate
• samānayitum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: samā√nī (धातु)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुन्), ‘to equate/bring to sameness’

• arhati: is fit/ought
• arhati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √arh (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• dharmāt: from dharma
• dharmāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Ablative (पञ्चमी/5), Singular

• vicalitum: to deviate
• vicalitum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi√cal (धातु)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुन्), ‘to swerve’

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular

• alam: able/sufficient
• alam: Śakti/Asāmarthya (शक्ति/असामर्थ्य)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: alam (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), ‘able/sufficient’; used with infinitive sense ‘I am not able’

• candrāt: from the moon
• candrāt: Upamāna (उपमान; source in comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: candra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Ablative (पञ्चमी/5), Singular

• iva: like
• iva: Upamā (उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Comparative particle (उपमा-निपात)

• prabhā: radiance
• prabhā: Upameya (उपमेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prabhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular; implied ‘as prabhā (does not deviate)’

Context

My worshipful mother-in-law should not equate me with wicked people (women). I cannot swerve from the path of virtue like radiance which never leaves the Moon.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• dharma
• candra (moon)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is presented as unwavering moral identity: Sītā asserts that righteousness is intrinsic to her, not contingent on circumstance or suspicion.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā answers protective, cautionary counsel by affirming her steadfastness and refusing any comparison with unfaithful conduct.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Integrity and steadfastness (dharma-niṣṭhā), expressed through the moon-and-radiance simile to show inseparability from virtue.