Shloka 6.119.31
सीताया अग्निप्रवेशः (Sita’s Ordeal by Fire / Agni-Pariksha)
सातप्तनवहेमाभातप्तकाञ्चनभूषणा ।।।।पपातज्वलनंदीप्तंसर्वलोकस्यसन्निधौ ।
na ca sumahān tatra bāla-vṛddha-samākulaḥ |
dadarśa maithilīṃ dīptāṃ praviśantīṃ hutāśanam ||
There, before a vast throng of young and old alike, they beheld Maithilī entering the blazing fire.
Like freshly polished gold, like shining gold ornament, in the presence of the whole world she fell into flaming and glowing fire.
The verse underscores accountability before society: dharma in kingship and public life often plays out under communal witness, where truth is demanded and observed.
A large public gathering watches Sītā step into the fire as part of her ordeal.
Sītā’s steadfastness under public gaze—courage to face collective judgment.