Shloka 6.119.9

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

Devanagari script

मदधीनंतुयत्तन्मेहृदयंत्वयिवर्तते ।पराधीनेषुगात्रेषुकिंकरिष्याम्यनीश्वरी ।।।।

Transliteration

mad-adhīnaṃ tu yat tan me hṛdayaṃ tvayi vartate | parādhīneṣu gātreṣu kiṃ kariṣyāmy anīśvarī ||

Translation

But what is under my control—my heart—remains in you; when my limbs are under another’s power, what could I do, being without freedom?

Context

"That mind which is under my control is my heart and it abides in you. What can I do about my limbs when I am at others' mercy?"

Characters & Entities

• Sītā
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma recognizes the primacy of inner intention and steadfastness (hṛdaya-niṣṭhā) when the body is constrained; judgement must consider freedom and consent.

What is the narrative situation?

Sītā concludes her argument by separating inner devotion to Rāma from the externally controlled condition of her body during captivity.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfast loyalty and self-knowledge—Sītā asserts unwavering inner commitment despite external coercion.