Shloka 6.119.4

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

Devanagari script

ततोबाष्पपरिक्लिन्नंप्रमार्जन्तीस्वमाननम् ।शनैर्गद्गदयावाचाभर्तारमिदमब्रवीत् ।।।।

Transliteration

tasyām agniṃ viśantyāṃ tu hāheti vipulaḥ svanaḥ |

rakṣasāṃ vānarāṇāṃ ca sambabhūv adbhutopamaḥ ||

Translation

As she entered the fire, a great roar arose among the Rākṣasas and the Vānaras—cries of “hā hā,” wondrous and filled with astonishment.

Context

Thereafter, wiping her face clean from flowing tears she spoke slowly in a choked voice in broken words to her husband.

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Agni (fire)
• Rākṣasas
• Vānaras

FAQs

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

Dharma’s tests reverberate through society: when truth is put to trial, communities respond with awe, fear, or confusion—revealing the moral weight of public judgment.

What is the narrative situation?

As Sītā enters the fire, both sides present—Rākṣasas and Vānaras—erupt in loud exclamations of astonishment.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s unwavering resolve indirectly stands out: the crowd’s amazement highlights the extraordinary courage required for such a truth-ordeal.