Shloka 6.119.23

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

Devanagari script

अधोमुखंस्थितंरामंततःकृत्वाप्रदक्षिणम् ।उपावर्ततवैदेहीदीप्यमानंहुताशनम् ।।।।

Transliteration

adhomukhaṃ sthitaṃ rāmaṃ tataḥ kṛtvā pradakṣiṇam | upāvartata vaidehī dīpyamānaṃ hutāśanam || 6.119.23 ||

Translation

Then Vaidehī, having circumambulated Rāma—standing with face lowered—turned toward the blazing fire.

Context

Thereafter, Vaidehi, walking clockwise near Rama went round him in accordance with tradition and approached the pyre.

Characters & Entities

• Vaidehī (Sītā)
• Rāma
• Hutāśana (Agni/fire)

FAQs

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

Dharma is expressed through maryādā (proper conduct): even amid crisis, Sītā follows respectful ritual gestures (pradakṣiṇā) before entering the truth-test.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā performs a formal circumambulation of Rāma and then moves toward the fire, marking the immediate commencement of the ordeal.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s composure and adherence to propriety under extreme pressure.