Shloka 5.24.5
सीताभर्त्सना — The Ogresses’ Threats to Sita and Her Vow of Fidelity
मानुषी मानुषं तं तु राममिच्छसि शोभने।राज्याद्भ्र्रष्टमसिद्धार्थं विक्लबं त्वमनिन्दिते।।5.24.5।।
evaṃ saṃbhartsyamānā sā sītā surasutopamā | rākṣasībhiḥ sughorābhir dhairyam utsṛjya roditi ||5.24.48||
Thus threatened in this way by the exceedingly dreadful ogresses, Sītā—like the daughter of a god—gave up her composure and wept.
'O charming lady! you have an irreproachable beauty and grace. Why do you think of human Rama only who has been dethroned from the kingdom. He is only a human being who is unsuccessful and distressful.'
The verse shows that even the righteous may grieve under oppression; Dharma is not the absence of pain but fidelity to truth and righteousness despite suffering.
After repeated threats of killing and consumption, Sītā finally breaks into tears, overwhelmed by terror and isolation in Laṅkā.
Sītā’s humanity and emotional truthfulness are emphasized—her tears do not negate her virtue; they underscore the gravity of her ordeal while her commitment to Dharma remains intact.