Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 37, Shloka 24
अयोध्याकाण्डे सर्गः ३७ — चीरधारणं, सीतासंकल्पः, वसिष्ठोपदेशः
Bark-Robe Episode and Vasistha’s Admonition
आत्मा हि दारास्सर्वेषां दारसङ्ग्रहवर्तिनाम्।आत्मेयमिति रामस्य पालयिष्यति मेदिनीम्।।2.37.24।।
ātmā hi dārāssarveṣāṃ dārasaṅgrahavartinām | ātmeyamiti rāmasya pālayiṣyati medinīm ||
Bagi semua yang menjalani hidup berumah tangga, isteri itu sesungguhnya adalah diri mereka sendiri. Oleh sebab Sita adalah ‘diri’ Rama, dialah yang akan memelihara dan memerintah bumi ini.
For every householder, his wife is the soul. Since Sita is the soul of Rama, she can rule this earth.
FAQs
Vasistha argues that in the Grihastha Ashrama, the wife is the very soul (Atma) of the husband. Therefore, in Rama's absence, Sita, being his soul, has the authority to rule.
It refers to those who abide in the state of having a wife, i.e., householders. The verse highlights the spiritual unity of the couple in this stage of life.