Shloka 15
सीताप्रत्याख्यानम् / Rama’s Post-Victory Address to Sītā
Public Opinion and Royal Duty
विदितश्चास्तुभत्रंतेयोऽयंरणपरिश्रमः ।सुतीर्णःसुहृदांवीर्यान्नत्वदर्थंमयाकृतः ।।6.118.15।।रक्षतातुमयावृत्तपमवादं च सर्वतः ।प्रख्यातस्यात्मवंशस्यव्यङ्ग्यं च परिमार्जता ।।6.118.16।।
viditaś cāstu bhadraṃ te yo 'yaṃ raṇapariśramaḥ |
sutīrṇaḥ suhṛdāṃ vīryān na tvad-arthaṃ mayā kṛtaḥ ||6.118.15||
悉多，愿汝得吉祥，当知：此番战阵之劳，赖我忠友之勇而得以渡过，并非我为汝之故而兴起。
"Sita! This effort in carrying out with the assistance of valiant friends is not done for your sake. Let it be known to you. I have done this to protect good conduct and my illustrious race from scandal and rid of obloquy from all sides."
FAQs
Rāma frames his action in terms of duty and public righteousness rather than private desire—an appeal to rājadharma and the primacy of moral reputation over personal attachment.
After Rāvaṇa is slain and Sītā is brought before Rāma, he speaks sternly, emphasizing that the war’s purpose was not personal reunion.
Self-restraint and adherence to duty (maryādā): Rāma presents himself as governed by principle and public responsibility.