Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 34, Shloka 24
सरमायाḥ सीतासान्त्वनम् तथा रावणनिश्चयश्रवणम्
Saarana Consoles Sita and Reports Ravana’s Resolve
नोत्सहत्यमृतोमोक्तुंयुद्धेत्वामितिमैथिली: ।सामात्यस्यनृशंसस्यनिश्चयोह्येषवर्तते ।।।।
notsahaty amṛto moktuṃ yuddhe tvām iti maithili | sāmātyasya nṛśaṃsasya niścayo hy eṣa vartate ||
“Hindi siya papayag na palayain ka hangga’t hindi siya mamamatay sa digmaan,” o Maithilī; ganyan ang tiyak na pasiya ng malupit na iyon, kasama ng kaniyang mga tagapayo.
"O Mythili! Ravana is not interested in liberating you unless he goes to the other world in combat. (It can't happen when he is alive) This is certain. There is no doubt about this."
FAQs
The verse shows how entrenched adharma hardens into fatal resolve; refusal to correct wrongdoing leads toward self-destruction.
Saramā reports the grim certainty: Rāvaṇa’s decision is fixed—he will not free Sītā while he lives.
Saramā’s frankness and fidelity to truth—she does not soften the reality, helping Sītā understand the stakes.