Valmiki Ramayana 2.39.24 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 39, Shloka 24

एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः

Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma

Devanagari script

साध्वीनां हि स्थितानां तु शीले सत्ये श्रुते शमे।स्त्रीणां पवित्रं परमं पतिरेको विशिष्यते।।2.39.24।।

Transliteration

sādhvīnāṁ hi sthitānāṁ tu śīle satye śrute śame |

strīṇāṁ pavitraṁ paramaṁ patir eko viśiṣyate || 2.39.24 ||

Translation

然而，对坚守贞洁、真实、圣学与自制的贤德妇人而言，唯有丈夫最为殊胜，乃其至高的清净之源、最高的净化者。

Word by Word

• sādhvīnām: of virtuous women
• sādhvīnām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sādhvī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन)

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्ध/निश्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), emphasis

• sthitānām: of those who are steadfast
• sthitānām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sthita (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √sthā)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन); agreeing with sādhvīnām

• tu: but
• tu: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), contrast ‘but/indeed’

• śīle: in conduct/chastity
• śīle: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• satye: in truth
• satye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: satya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• śrute: in sacred learning
• śrute: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śruta (प्रातिपदिक; from √śru, ‘that which is heard/learning’)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• śame: in calmness/self-control
• śame: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• strīṇām: of women
• strīṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: strī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन)

• pavitraṃ: purity/holy thing
• pavitraṃ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pavitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• paramaṃ: supreme
• paramaṃ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying pavitraṃ

• patiḥ: husband
• patiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• ekaḥ: alone/only
• ekaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying patiḥ

• viśiṣyate: is distinguished/excels
• viśiṣyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi√śiṣ (धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

Context

But for those virtuous women whose minds are fixed in chastity, truth, scriptures and stability, the husband occupies a distinguished place and is considered supremely holy.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• husband (pati)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

It defines an ideal of Dharma for a virtuous wife: truthfulness, self-control, and fidelity, where devotion to the husband is portrayed as a principal sacred duty.

What is the narrative situation?

As Rāma is being sent to the forest, Sītā is addressed with a value-framework that elevates steadfast marital duty, especially under hardship.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s archetypal virtue—pativratā-niṣṭhā (single-minded fidelity)—grounded in satya and śama.