Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 66, Shloka 14
शिवधनुर्न्यासकथा तथा सीतोत्पत्तिविवाहशुल्क-निश्चयः
The Bow of Śiva: Its Deposit, Sītā’s Origin, and the Prowess-Brideprice Vow
भूतलादुत्थिता सा तु व्यवर्धत ममात्मजा।वीर्यशुल्केति मे कन्या स्थापितेयमयोनिजा।।1.66.14।।
bhūtalād utthitā sā tu vyavardhata mamātmajā |
vīryaśulketi me kanyā sthāpiteyam ayोनिजā ||1.66.14||
Dẫu từ mặt đất mà sinh khởi, nàng vẫn lớn lên như ái nữ của ta. Trinh nữ ấy—không do thai tạng mà sinh—ta đã định rằng chỉ ai chứng tỏ dũng lực mới được cưới, lấy chiến công làm sính lễ.
O Eminent ascetic! arisen from the earth and reared as my daughter, she has been sought after in marriage by many princes.
FAQs
Parental and royal dharma: Janaka safeguards Sītā’s future by setting a principled standard—worthiness proven through capability and discipline, not mere status.
Janaka describes Sītā’s upbringing and the formal condition he set for her marriage: only one with proven strength can win her.
Janaka’s prudence and protective responsibility—balancing affection with duty and standards.