Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 22, Shloka 13
रावणस्य तर्जनं सीताया धर्मोक्तिः
Ravana’s Threats and Sita’s Dharma-Centered Reply
नूनं न ते जनः कश्चिदस्ति निःश्रेयसे स्थित:।निवारयति यो न त्वां कर्मणोऽस्माद्विगर्हितात्।।।।
nūnaṃ na te janaḥ kaścid asti niḥśreyase sthitaḥ |nivārayati yo na tvāṃ karmaṇo 'smād vigarhitāt ||
Sesungguhnya tiada seorang pun daripada rakyatmu yang teguh demi kesejahteraan sejati (niḥśreyasa)mu; kerana tiada yang menahanmu daripada perbuatan tercela ini.
"Obviously there is no one among your people keen on your welfare since nobody is preventing you from this reproachable act.
FAQs
Dharma values wise counsel and restraint: a ruler without advisors who prevent wrongdoing is headed toward ruin.
Sītā criticizes Rāvaṇa’s court and companions for failing to stop him from an immoral act—abducting and coercing her.
Moral clarity and fearless admonition—Sītā speaks truth for the sake of righteousness, not flattery.