Shloka 6.119.24

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

Devanagari script

प्रणम्यदैवतेभ्यश्चब्राह्मणेभ्यश्चमैथिली ।बद्धाञ्जलिपुटाचेदमुवाचानगिसमीपतः ।।।।

Transliteration

praṇamya daivatebhyaś ca brāhmaṇebhyaś ca maithilī | baddhāñjalipuṭā cedam uvāca agnisamīpataḥ || 6.119.24 ||

Translation

Having bowed to the gods and to the brāhmaṇas, Maithilī, with hands joined in reverence, spoke these words from near the fire.

Context

Mythili greeted the gods and brahmanas with joined palms and went near fire and again joined her palms in greeting and spoke as follows.

Characters & Entities

• Maithilī (Sītā)
• daivatāni (gods)
• brāhmaṇāḥ
• Agni (fire)

FAQs

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

Truth is established through accountable testimony: Sītā invokes sacred and social witnesses (gods and brāhmaṇas) before making her declaration.

What is the narrative situation?

Immediately before entering the fire, Sītā offers salutations and begins her solemn statement.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence and moral courage—she publicly submits her truth to sacred scrutiny.