Shloka 6.119.19

सीताया अग्निप्रवेशः (Sita’s Ordeal by Fire / Agni-Pariksha)

Devanagari script

अप्रीतेनगुणैर्भर्त्रात्यक्तायाजनसंसदि ।याक्षमामेगतिर्गन्तुंप्रवेक्ष्येहव्यवाहनम् ।।।।

Transliteration

aprītena guṇair bhartrā tyaktāyā jana-saṁsadi |

yā kṣamā me gatir gantuṁ pravekṣyeha havyavāhanam ||

Translation

When my husband, not satisfied even with my virtues, casts me off in an assembly of people, there is only one course left for me to take: here and now I shall enter the fire, the carrier of oblations.

Context

"When my husband is not pleased with my virtues, renounces me in the gathering of people, I have only that path for me, that is, entering fire and offering myself as oblation."

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma (husband implied)
• Public assembly (jana-saṁsad)
• Agni (Havyavāhana)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is framed as public vindication of satya: in a social order where reputation affects dharma, Sītā seeks Agni as the witness to truth.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā declares her decision to enter the fire after being repudiated in public, setting the stage for the Agni-parīkṣā (fire ordeal).

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fearless commitment to truth: Sītā chooses a decisive, sacred test rather than living under unresolved suspicion.