Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 11

सीताया रावणं प्रति धर्मोपदेशः

Sita’s Dharmic Admonition to Ravana

Devanagari script

अकृतात्मानमासाद्य राजानमनये रतम्।।।।समृद्धानि विनश्यन्ति राष्ट्राणि नगराणि च।

Transliteration

akṛtātmānam āsādya rājānam anaye rataṃ |

samṛddhāni vinaśyanti rāṣṭrāṇi nagarāṇi ca ||5.21.11||

Translation

若无自制、沉溺不义之道的君王得势，即便繁盛的国土与城邑也将走向毁灭。

Word by Word

• akṛta-ātmānam: an undisciplined/foolish person
• akṛta-ātmānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- (नञ्) + kṛta (कृदन्त, √kṛ + क्त) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारयः—"अकृतः आत्मा यस्य/अकृतात्मा" (undisciplined)

• āsādya: having approached/obtained
• āsādya: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √sad (धातु) + ā (उपसर्ग) + ktvā (क्त्वा)
• Form: Absolutive (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), gerund; action prior to main verb

• rājānam: a king
• rājānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• anaye: in injustice/evil policy
• anaye: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• ratam: engaged/delighting (in)
• ratam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √ram (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past participle used adjectivally; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with rājānam

• samṛddhāni: prosperous
• samṛddhāni: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samṛddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); agrees with rāṣṭrāṇi/nagarāṇi

• vinaśyanti: perish/are destroyed
• vinaśyanti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √naś (धातु) + vi (उपसर्ग)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• rāṣṭrāṇi: kingdoms/states
• rāṣṭrāṇi: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāṣṭra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• nagarāṇi: cities
• nagarāṇi: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nagara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय-निपात)

Context

"Even prosperous countries and cities are destroyed on account of indiscreet rulers engaged in unfair means.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa
• king (rājā)

FAQs

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

Rājadharma: a ruler’s self-control and justice are foundational; when leadership is unrighteous, society’s prosperity collapses.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā generalizes from Rāvaṇa’s conduct to a principle of governance: immoral kings destroy their own states.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s wisdom and commitment to dharma-based governance, even while she is a captive.