Shloka 2.118.53

अनसूयोपदेशः तथा सीताया स्वयंवरकथा (Anasuya’s Counsel and Sita’s Swayamvara Narrative)

Devanagari script

मम चैवानुजा साध्वी ऊर्मिला प्रियदर्शना।भार्यार्थे लक्ष्मणस्यापि दत्ता पित्रा मम स्वयम्।।2.118.53।।

Transliteration

navīkṛtaṁ tu tat sarvaṁ vākyais te dharma-cāriṇi | pati-śuśrūṣaṇān nāryās tapo nānyad vidhīyate || 2.118.9 ||

Translation

O woman who practices dharma, your words have refreshed all of that instruction for me; for a wife, no other austerity is enjoined than devoted service to her husband.

Context

My father, on his own accord, bestowed Urmila, my younger sister of chaste and of pleasing appearance as wife to Lakshmana.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Anasūyā
• husband (pati, i.e., Rāma implied)

FAQs

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

The verse frames marital dharma as a disciplined vow: a wife’s highest tapas is faithful, conscientious service to her husband.

What is the narrative situation?

After hearing Anasūyā’s counsel, Sītā says it has revived earlier teachings from her elders regarding wifely duty.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Devotion and moral clarity—Sītā affirms a single-minded commitment to her chosen dharmic path in marriage.