Shloka 2.118.9
अनसूयोपदेशः तथा सीताया स्वयंवरकथा (Anasuya’s Counsel and Sita’s Swayamvara Narrative)
नवीकृतं तु तत्सर्वं वाक्यैस्ते धर्मचारिणि।पतिशुश्रूषणान्नार्यास्तपो नान्यद्विधीयते।।2.118.9।।
evaṁ dattā 'smi rāmāya tadā tasmin svayaṁvare | anuraktā 'smi dharmeṇa patiṁ vīryavatāṁ varam || 2.118.54 ||
Thus, at that svayaṁvara, I was given to Rāma; and in keeping with dharma I remain devoted to my husband, foremost among the valiant.
O righteous one (Anasuya), after listening to your words the instructions given by mymother-in-law and my mother are renewed (remembered again). For a woman, no other penance is laid down (in scriptures) except service to her husband.
Dharma is steadfast marital fidelity: Sītā frames her devotion to Rāma as a righteous commitment, not merely emotion.
Sītā concludes her recollection of the svayaṁvara and affirms her continuing devotion to Rāma.
Loyalty grounded in dharma—Sītā’s unwavering commitment to her husband as a sacred duty.