Shloka 18
सीताविलापः
Sita’s Lament and Resolve under Threat
सा शोकतप्ता बहुधा विचिन्त्यसीताऽथ वेण्युद्ग्रथनं गृहीत्वा।उद्बुध्य वेण्युद्ग्रथनेन शीघ्रमहंगमिष्यामि यमस्य मूलम्।।5.28.18।।
sā śokataptā bahudhā vicintya sītā'tha veṇyudgrathanaṃ gṛhītvā |
udbudhya veṇyudgrathanena śīghram ahaṃ gamiṣyāmi yamasya mūlam ||5.28.18||
Vor Kummer brennend und in Gedanken versunken, ergriff Sītā ihren Haarzopf; fest entschlossen, sich damit zu erhängen, sprach sie: „Ich werde schnell in die Gegenwart von Yama, dem Herrn des Todes, gehen.“
"Burning in grief, worrying in many ways, Sita took hold of her braid and said", by tying myself with this braid I shall quickly reach the presence of the lord of death".
FAQs
The verse reflects an intense moment of despair under coercion and captivity; it portrays her suffering rather than prescribing suicide as dharma. In the broader narrative, Sītā remains steadfast to dharma and satya, enduring until rescue becomes possible.
It highlights her unwavering truthfulness and chastity under threat: she would rather face death than violate her fidelity. The braid becomes a symbol of her inner resolve to uphold satya even in extreme adversity.