Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 68, Shloka 22
सीताया यशोधर्मविचारः
Sita’s Counsel on Honor, Rescue-Strategy, and Hanuman’s Reassurance
अहं तावदिह प्राप्तः किं पुनस्ते महाबलाः।न हि प्रकृष्टाः प्रेत्यन्ते प्रेष्यन्ते हीतरे जनाः।।।।
ahaṃ tāvad iha prāptaḥ kiṃ punas te mahābalāḥ | na hi prakṛṣṭāḥ pretyante preṣyante hītare janāḥ ||
Aku sendiri telah sampai ke sini; apatah lagi mereka yang jauh lebih perkasa daripadaku! Sesungguhnya yang paling unggul tidak dihantar menjalankan tugas; orang lainlah yang diutus.
'When I could come here, what to speak of the mightier monkeys?, People do not send the superior ones on errand, but send only the juniors.
FAQs
Dharma is prudent strategy in righteous action: a mission is organized with roles and hierarchy, while hope is sustained through truthful reassurance.
Hanumān argues from his own successful arrival to imply that even greater allies can come, intensifying Sītā’s trust in rescue.
Viveka (discernment) and modesty: he frames his role as that of a messenger, not the highest power, while still affirming capability.