Shloka 2.118.19
अनसूयोपदेशः तथा सीताया स्वयंवरकथा (Anasuya’s Counsel and Sita’s Swayamvara Narrative)
इदं दिव्यं वरं माल्यं वस्त्रमाभरणानि च।अङ्गरागं च वैदेहि महार्हं चानुलेपनम्।।2.118.18।।मया दत्तमिदं सीते तव गात्राणि शोभयेत्।अनुरूपमसंक्लिष्टं नित्यमेव भविष्यति।।2.118.19।।
naitad āścaryam āryāyā yan māṃ tvam abhibhāṣase |
viditaṃ tu mamāpy etad yathā nāryāḥ patir guruḥ ||2.118.2||
It is no surprise that a noble lady should counsel me so. I too know this well: for a woman, her husband is to be revered as a guru.
O princess of Videha, O Sita, I bestow on you this best garland of the gods, raiment, jewellery, fragrant unguents, and precious ointment for anointing your body with. All this will beautify your limbs. It is convenient (to use) and will never fade.
Marital dharma expressed as reverence and loyalty: Sītā affirms the ideal of honoring one’s spouse as a guiding authority.
Sītā responds to Anasūyā’s counsel, acknowledging that such instruction is fitting and aligns with what she already knows.
Sītā’s steadfast commitment to duty (maryādā) and her respectful receptivity to wise guidance.