Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 30, Shloka 35

सीताया वनानुगमननिश्चयः

Sita’s Resolve to Accompany Rama to the Forest

Devanagari script

न सत्यं दानमानौ वा न यज्ञाश्चाप्तदक्षिणाः।तथा बलकरा स्सीते यथा सेवा पितुर्हिता।।2.30.35।।

Transliteration

na satyaṃ dāna-mānau vā na yajñāś cāpta-dakṣiṇāḥ |

tathā balakarāḥ sīte yathā sevā pitur hitā ||2.30.35||

Translation

ໂອ ສີຕາ! ບໍ່ແມ່ນແຕ່ການເວົ້າຄວາມຈິງ, ບໍ່ແມ່ນທານແລະການໃຫ້ເກຍດ, ຫຼືຍັດຍະພິທີທີ່ມີທັກສິນາອັນຄວນ—ຈະໃຫ້ພະລັງແລະຜົນໄດ້ເທົ່າກັບການຮັບໃຊ້ບິດາດ້ວຍໃຈດີເພື່ອປະໂຫຍດຂອງທ່ານ

Word by Word

• न: not
• न: Nishedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय

• सत्यम्: truthfulness
• सत्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• दानमानौ: charity and honor
• दानमानौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान-मान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (दानं च मानः च)

• वा: or
• वा: Samuccaya/Vikalpa (समुच्चय/विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्प-अव्यय (or)

• न: not
• न: Nishedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय

• यज्ञाः: sacrifices
• यज्ञाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• आप्तदक्षिणाः: with due/requisite fees (dakṣiṇā)
• आप्तदक्षिणाः: Visheshaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आप्त-दक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण (yajñāḥ); तत्पुरुष (आप्ता दक्षिणा येषाम्)

• तथा: so; to that extent
• तथा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार/तुलनावाचक-अव्यय (so/in that way)

• बलकराः: strength-giving
• बलकराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicative)

• सीते: O Sita
• सीते: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सीता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• यथा: as
• यथा: Upama-marker (उपमा-सूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: तुलनावाचक-अव्यय (as)

• सेवा: service
• सेवा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सेवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• पितुः: of father
• पितुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• हिता: beneficial; salutary
• हिता: Visheshaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (sevā)

Context

Truth or munificence or homage or distribution of gifts to the revered ones or sacrifices, O Sita, are not considered as efficacious as service to father.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Sita
• father
• yajña (sacrifice)
• dakṣiṇā (ritual gift)

FAQs

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

Concrete duty—especially service to one’s father—can outweigh even celebrated virtues and rituals when dharma demands obedience and care within the family order.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama emphasizes why he must uphold his father’s command, framing filial service as a powerful dharmic act during the exile decision.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s commitment to duty over display—prioritizing lived righteousness above ritual prestige.