Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 66, Shloka 16
शिवधनुर्न्यासकथा तथा सीतोत्पत्तिविवाहशुल्क-निश्चयः
The Bow of Śiva: Its Deposit, Sītā’s Origin, and the Prowess-Brideprice Vow
तेषां वरयतां कन्यां सर्वेषां पृथिवीक्षिताम्।वीर्यशुल्केति भगवन् न ददामि सुतामहम्।।1.66.16।।
teṣāṁ varayatāṁ kanyāṁ sarveṣāṁ pṛthivīkṣitām |
vīryaśulketi bhagavan na dadāmi sutām aham ||1.66.16||
பகவனே! அந்தப் பூமியரசர்கள் அனைவரும் கன்னியை வேண்டினாலும், ‘வீர்ய-சுல்க’ நியமத்தினால் நான் என் மகளை அளிக்கவில்லை.
O Pre-eminent among ascetics! thereafter many kings together came to Mithila to test their prowess.
FAQs
Satya and dharma as fidelity to one’s declared standard: Janaka does not bend rules under pressure from powerful suitors.
Despite many proposals from monarchs, Janaka maintains the vow/condition that only a demonstrably capable hero may marry Sītā.
Integrity—steadfastness to a principled commitment even before influential claimants.