Shloka 5.19.1
सीताव्यथा-वर्णनम् / Sītā’s Distress and Rāvaṇa’s Attempt at Coercive Allurement
तस्मिन्नेव ततः काले राजपुत्री त्वनिन्दिता।रूपयौवनसम्पन्नं भूषणोत्तमभूषितम्।।।।ततो दृष्ट्वैव वैदेही रावणं राक्षसाधिपम्।प्रावेपत वरारोहा प्रवाते कदली यथा।।।।
vṛttaśīlakule jātām ācāravati dhārmike |
punaḥsaṃskāram āpannāṃ jātām iva ca duṣkule ||
Born in a lineage of virtuous conduct, nurtured in righteous custom and dharma, she now seemed as though made to undergo purification anew—like one born in a degraded family.
On just seeing Ravana, the lord of demons from a distance, adorned with the best of ornaments the charming, young, blameles princess Vaidehi of beautiful waist trembled like a banana plant shaken by a strong wind.
True purity is intrinsic and ethical, not erased by external contamination; the verse highlights how adharma can unjustly impose the burden of “proof” upon the innocent.
In describing Sītā’s condition in captivity, the narration conveys how a virtuous woman is made to feel socially and emotionally stained by coercive surroundings.
Sītā’s steadfast integrity (śīla) and truthfulness (satya): her righteousness remains, even when circumstances try to redefine her worth.