Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 118, Shloka 54
अनसूयोपदेशः तथा सीताया स्वयंवरकथा
Anasuya’s Counsel and Sita’s Swayamvara Narrative
एवं दत्ताऽस्मि रामाय तदा तस्मिन्स्वयंवरे।अनुरक्ताऽस्मि धर्मेण पतिं वीर्यवतां वरम्।।2.118.54।।
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.
FAQs
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.