Shloka 2.16.40
सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम् (Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King)
सर्वसीमन्तिनीभ्यश्च सीतां सीमन्तिनी वराम्।।।।अमन्यन्त हि ता नार्यो रामस्य हृदयप्रियाम्।
sarvasīmantinībhyaś ca sītāṃ sīmantinī varām |
amanyanta hi tā nāryo rāmasya hṛdayapriyām ||
Those women indeed regarded Sītā—dear to Rāma’s heart—as the finest of all noble ladies.
Those women considered Sita who was dear to the heart of Rama the best among all women.
Dharma in household life is implied through the ideal of a devoted, esteemed wife; Sītā’s worth is recognized as aligned with marital virtue and social excellence.
Ayodhya’s women speak among themselves, praising Sītā as foremost among women because she is especially dear to Rama.
Sītā’s exemplary womanhood—dignity, virtue, and the esteem she commands in public perception.