Shloka 23
एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः
Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma
न कुलं न कृतं विद्या न दत्तं नापि सङ्ग्रहः।स्त्रीणां गृह्णाति हृदयमनित्यहृदया हि ताः।।2.39.23।।
na kulaṁ na kṛtaṁ vidyā na dattaṁ nāpi saṅgrahaḥ |
strīṇāṁ gṛhṇāti hṛdayam anityahṛdayā hi tāḥ || 2.39.23 ||
Bukan keturunan, bukan jasa lampau, bukan ilmu, bukan pemberian, bahkan harta terkumpul pun tidak meraih hati wanita; kerana hati mereka sesungguhnya tidak tetap.
Neither family traditions nor benefits received, nor education nor affection nor gifts nor even accumulated wealth attract women's hearts. Their minds are unstable indeed.
FAQs
The implied ethical teaching is to anchor one’s conduct not in material incentives or social advantages but in steadfast Dharma—constancy and truth of commitment.
The verse belongs to a set of admonitions delivered in the tense moment around exile, aiming to strengthen Sītā’s resolve toward faithful companionship.
Steadfastness (niṣṭhā) rather than attachment to wealth, status, or comfort.