Shloka 5.19.6
सीताव्यथा-वर्णनम् / Sītā’s Distress and Rāvaṇa’s Attempt at Coercive Allurement
मलमण्डनचित्राङ्गीं मण्डनार्हाममण्डिताम्।मृणाली पङ्कदिग्धेव विभाति न विभाति च।।।।
upavāsena śokena dhyānena ca bhayena ca |
parikṣīṇāṃ kṛśāṃ dīnām alpāhārāṃ tapodhanām ||
Worn down by fasting and grief, by brooding and fear, she was wasted, emaciated, and dejected—eating little, yet rich in the treasure of austerity.
Her body looked colourful with dust. Although she deserved adornment, she had none. She was like a lotus stem in mud looking bright yet dull (with mud).
Dharma can be guarded through tapas—self-restraint and refusal to be morally broken by fear; suffering is not allowed to become untruth.
Sītā’s physical decline is described as the result of captivity, threats, and constant sorrow.
Tapas and self-control—strength expressed as disciplined endurance rather than outward power.