Valmiki Ramayana 5.21.11: Sundara Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 11

सीताया रावणं प्रति धर्मोपदेशः

Sita’s Dharmic Admonition to Ravana

Devanagari script

अकृतात्मानमासाद्य राजानमनये रतम्।।।।समृद्धानि विनश्यन्ति राष्ट्राणि नगराणि च।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 5.21.11

Transliteration

akṛtātmānam āsādya rājānam anaye rataṃ |

samṛddhāni vinaśyanti rāṣṭrāṇi nagarāṇi ca ||5.21.11||

Translation

ಆತ್ಮಸಂಯಮವಿಲ್ಲದ, ಅನ್ಯಾಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಸಕ್ತನಾದ ರಾಜನು ಅಧಿಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದಾಗ, ಸಮೃದ್ಧ ರಾಜ್ಯಗಳೂ ನಗರಗಳೂ ಸಹ ನಾಶವಾಗುತ್ತವೆ.

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Word by Word

• akṛta-ātmānam: an undisciplined/foolish person
• akṛta-ātmānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- (नञ्) + kṛta (कृदन्त, √kṛ + क्त) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारयः—"अकृतः आत्मा यस्य/अकृतात्मा" (undisciplined)

• āsādya: having approached/obtained
• āsādya: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √sad (धातु) + ā (उपसर्ग) + ktvā (क्त्वा)
• Form: Absolutive (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), gerund; action prior to main verb

• rājānam: a king
• rājānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• anaye: in injustice/evil policy
• anaye: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• ratam: engaged/delighting (in)
• ratam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √ram (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past participle used adjectivally; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with rājānam

• samṛddhāni: prosperous
• samṛddhāni: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samṛddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); agrees with rāṣṭrāṇi/nagarāṇi

• vinaśyanti: perish/are destroyed
• vinaśyanti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √naś (धातु) + vi (उपसर्ग)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• rāṣṭrāṇi: kingdoms/states
• rāṣṭrāṇi: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāṣṭra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• nagarāṇi: cities
• nagarāṇi: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nagara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय-निपात)

Context

"Even prosperous countries and cities are destroyed on account of indiscreet rulers engaged in unfair means.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa
• king (rājā)

FAQs

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

Rājadharma: a ruler’s self-control and justice are foundational; when leadership is unrighteous, society’s prosperity collapses.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā generalizes from Rāvaṇa’s conduct to a principle of governance: immoral kings destroy their own states.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s wisdom and commitment to dharma-based governance, even while she is a captive.