Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 36, Shloka 13
सीताप्रत्यय-प्रदानम्
Sita’s Recognition and Reassurance by the Envoy
कुशली यदि काकुत्स्थः किं नु सागरमेखलाम्।महीं दहति कोपेन युगान्ताग्निरिवोत्थितः।।।।
kuśalī yadi kākutsthaḥ kiṁ nu sāgara-mekhalām |
mahīṁ dahati kopena yugāntāgnir ivotthitaḥ ||
Jika Kakutstha benar-benar sejahtera, mengapa baginda tidak membakar bumi yang dilingkari lautan ini dalam murka—bagaikan api kebinasaan pada akhir zaman?
"Indeed if Kakutstha is well wherefore does he not burn the ocean-girdled earth in his rage as (the earth is burnt) at the time of dissolution of the era?
FAQs
Power must be governed by dharma: even if capable of world-consuming wrath, a righteous hero restrains destructive anger and acts with purpose.
Sītā, overwhelmed by separation, imagines Rāma’s immense power and questions why such power has not erupted against the world that holds her captive.
Rāma’s self-restraint (dama): the implied virtue is that his strength is disciplined, not indiscriminate.