Shloka 5.28.18
सीताविलापः (Sita’s Lament and Resolve under Threat)
सा शोकतप्ता बहुधा विचिन्त्यसीताऽथ वेण्युद्ग्रथनं गृहीत्वा।उद्बुध्य वेण्युद्ग्रथनेन शीघ्रमहंगमिष्यामि यमस्य मूलम्।।5.28.18।।
sā śokataptā bahudhā vicintya sītā'tha veṇyudgrathanaṃ gṛhītvā |
udbudhya veṇyudgrathanena śīghram ahaṃ gamiṣyāmi yamasya mūlam ||5.28.18||
Burning with grief and thinking in many ways, Sītā then seized the braid of her hair; resolving swiftly to bind herself with that braid, she said, “I shall quickly go to the very presence of Yama, the Lord of Death.”
"Burning in grief, worrying in many ways, Sita took hold of her braid and said", by tying myself with this braid I shall quickly reach the presence of the lord of death".
The verse reflects an intense moment of despair under coercion and captivity; it portrays her suffering rather than prescribing suicide as dharma. In the broader narrative, Sītā remains steadfast to dharma and satya, enduring until rescue becomes possible.
It highlights her unwavering truthfulness and chastity under threat: she would rather face death than violate her fidelity. The braid becomes a symbol of her inner resolve to uphold satya even in extreme adversity.