Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 16

सीताया रावणं प्रति धर्मोपदेशः

Sita’s Dharmic Admonition to Ravana

Devanagari script

उपधाय भुजं तस्य लोकनाथस्य सत्कृतम्।।।।कथं नामोपधास्यामि भुजमन्यस्य कस्य चित्।

Transliteration

upadhāya bhujaṃ tasya lokanāthasya satkṛtam | kathaṃ nāmopadhāsyāmi bhujam anyasya kasya cit ||

Translation

既已倚靠过那位世间之主所尊崇的臂膀，我又怎能把头枕在他人任何人的臂上？

Word by Word

• upadhāya: having placed (as a pillow)
• upadhāya: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √dhā (धातु) + upa (उपसर्ग) + ktvā (क्त्वा)
• Form: Absolutive (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्)

• bhujam: arm
• bhujam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tasya: of him
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• loka-nāthasya: of the lord of the world/people
• loka-nāthasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक) + nātha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—"लोकानां नाथः"

• sat-kṛtam: honoured/respected
• sat-kṛtam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sat (प्रातिपदिक) + √kṛ (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुषः—"सत्-कृत" = well-honoured; agrees with bhujam (sense: honoured arm)

• katham: how
• katham: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: katham (अव्यय)
• Form: Interrogative adverb (प्रश्न-अव्यय)

• nāma: indeed/ever
• nāma: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nāma (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic/interrogative particle (निपात)

• upadhāsyāmi: shall I place/rest (on)
• upadhāsyāmi: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dhā (धातु) + upa (उपसर्ग)
• Form: Future tense (लृट्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 1st person (उत्तमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• bhujam: arm
• bhujam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• anyasya: of another
• anyasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies kasya cit

• kasya: of whom
• kasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Interrogative pronoun, Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• cit: ever/any
• cit: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: cit (अव्यय)
• Form: Indefinite particle (अनिश्चितार्थक-निपात), with kasya = "of anyone"

Context

"How can I pillow on somebody's arm after resting on the honourable arm of the great lord of the worlds ?

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

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

Exclusive commitment and rightful relationship are central to dharma; one should not abandon the legitimate bond for an unrighteous alternative.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā rebuffs Rāvaṇa’s proposal by invoking her prior, honored union with Rāma as morally and emotionally non-transferable.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Constancy in love and duty—Sītā’s unwavering adherence to her rightful spouse and moral order.