Shloka 19
सीताप्रत्याख्यानम् / Rama’s Post-Victory Address to Sītā
Public Opinion and Royal Duty
कःपुमांस्तुकुलेजातस्स्त्रयंपरगृहाषिताम् ।तेजस्वीपुनरादद्यात्सुहृल्लेख्येनचेतसा ।।6.118.19।।
kaḥ pumāṃs tu kule jātaḥ striyaṃ paragṛhoṣitām |
tejasvī punar ādad yāt suhṛl-lekhyena cetasā ||6.118.19||
ชายผู้รุ่งเรืองผู้ใดเล่า เกิดในตระกูลสูง จะยอมรับหญิงที่เคยพำนักในเรือนผู้อื่นกลับคืน โดยรู้เห็นอยู่แก่ใจ—ยิ่งเมื่อมิตรสหายยังพากันติเตียนในดวงจิต?
"Which eminent man born in a good race will again consciously accept a wife who lived in another's home?"
FAQs
The verse reflects a social-ethical framework where personal decisions are constrained by communal judgment; dharma is treated as inseparable from public trust and reputation.
Rāma justifies his rejection by appealing to what society—and even well-wishers—would deem acceptable for a royal man.
Concern for honor and social credibility, presented as necessary for a ruler and exemplar of maryādā.