Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 40, Shloka 10
अभिज्ञानदानम् / The Gift of Recognition
Sita’s Token and Resolve
धारयिष्यामि मासं तु जीवितं शत्रुसूदन।ऊर्ध्वं मासान्न जीविष्ये त्वया हीना नृपात्मज।।5.40.10।।
dhārayiṣyāmi māsaṃ tu jīvitaṃ śatrusūdana | ūrdhvaṃ māsān na jīviṣye tvayā hīnā nṛpātmaja ||
“灭敌者啊，王子啊：我只能再支撑生命一月。过此一月，若与汝分离，我便不能再活。”
"O subduer of enemies! O prince! I will hold on to life only for a month. I will not survive beyond a month in your absence.
FAQs
Dharma appears as unwavering fidelity (pativratā-dharma): Sītā’s life is anchored in truth and loyalty to Rāma, even under coercion.
Sītā tells Hanumān the limit of her endurance in captivity and urges timely rescue by conveying her condition to Rāma.
Steadfastness and truthful resolve: she states her condition plainly, without compromise or false hope.