Shloka 2.29.17
सीताया वनगमननिश्चयः — Sita’s Resolve to Accompany Rama to the Forest
प्रेत्यभावे हि कल्याण स्सङ्गमो मे सह त्वया।श्रुतिर्हि श्रूयते पुण्या ब्राह्मणानां यशस्विनाम्।।।।इहलोके च पितृभिर्या स्त्री यस्य महामते।अद्भिर्दत्ता स्वधर्मेण प्रेत्यभावेऽपि तस्य सा।।।।
pretyabhāve hi kalyāṇaḥ saṅgamo me saha tvayā | śrutir hi śrūyate puṇyā brāhmaṇānāṃ yaśasvinām ||
ihaloke ca pitṛbhir yā strī yasya mahāmate | adbhir dattā svadharmeṇa pretyabhāve 'pi tasya sā || 2.29.17 ||
O noble-minded one, my union with you is auspicious even after death. For a sacred Vedic teaching, recited by renowned brahmins, is heard: the woman whom her parents give—according to dharma, with the ritual offering of water—belongs to that very husband even beyond death.
My union with you, O high-minded one, is auspicious even beyond death. A woman, given away by her parents in accordance with traditional offerings of water belongs to him even after death and lives with him. This is a statement from the Vedas quoted by famous brahmins.
Dharma is grounded in śruti and marital rite: Sītā argues that the truth of the marriage bond—ritually and lawfully established—extends beyond death, making separation from her husband ethically improper.
To persuade Rāma, Sītā cites Vedic authority and marriage custom, asserting that her rightful place is with him in exile and beyond.
Dharma-informed steadfastness—Sītā combines devotion with scriptural reasoning, showing loyalty supported by tradition and truth.