Valmiki Ramayana 2.118.35 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 118, Shloka 35
अनसूयोपदेशः तथा सीताया स्वयंवरकथा
Anasuya’s Counsel and Sita’s Swayamvara Narrative
सदृशाच्चापकृष्टाच्च लोके कन्यापिता जनात्।प्रधर्षणामवाप्नोति शक्रेणापि समो भुवि।।2.118.35।।
sadṛśāc cāpakṛṣṭāc ca loke kanyā-pitā janāt | pradharṣaṇām avāpnoti śakreṇāpi samo bhuvi || 2.118.35 ||
ஏனெனில் இவ்வுலகில் கன்னியையின் தந்தை, தன்னுடன் சமமானவர்களிடமிருந்தும் தாழ்ந்தவர்களிடமிருந்தும் கூட அவமதிப்பைச் சந்திக்கிறான்—பூமியில் இந்திரனுக்கு ஒப்பானவனாக இருந்தாலும்.
Even though he was an Indra on earth, as a father of an unmarried girl he would be humiliated by men who are his equal or inferior in this world.
FAQs
Dharma operates within social perception: failing (or appearing to fail) in one’s duty—here, arranging a daughter’s marriage—invites public blame, even against the truly eminent.
Sītā explains why Janaka felt pressured: society judges and humiliates a father whose daughter remains unmarried.
Janaka’s concern for propriety and reputation tied to duty, not mere pride.
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