Shloka 6.81.10
इन्द्रजितो मायासीतावधः — Indrajit’s Illusory Sita Episode and Hanuman’s Rebuke
स ददर्शहतानन्दांसीतामिन्द्रजितोरथे ।एकवेणीधरांदीनामुपवासकृशाननाम् ।।6.81.9।।परिक्लिष्टैकवसनाममृजांराघवप्रियाम् ।रजोमलाभ्यामालिप्तैस्सर्वगात्रैर्वरस्त्रियम् ।।6.81.10।।
sa dadarśa hatānandāṃ sītām indrajito rathe | ekaveṇīdharāṃ dīnāṃ upavāsakṛśānanām ||
parikliṣṭaikavasanām amṛjāṃ rāghavapriyām | rajo-malābhyām āliptaiḥ sarva-gātrair vara-striyam ||
He saw Sītā in Indrajit’s chariot—joyless, her hair bound in a single braid, pitiable, her face thinned by fasting; clad in a single worn garment, unadorned, dear to Rāghava, that noble woman with dust and grime smeared over all her limbs.
Hanuman beheld in the chariot of Indrajith, cheerless Sita with one braid, with no desire to live, emaciated by fasting, wearing a single cloth, body not anointed, covered with dust and dirt all over the body, who was dear to Raghava.
The verse foregrounds Sītā’s steadfastness under suffering—inner truth (satya) and chastity/constancy are preserved even when outward dignity is attacked.
Indrajit presents Sītā in a chariot as part of a deceitful spectacle meant to shock and destabilize Rāma’s side.
Sītā’s endurance and fidelity—her austerity and refusal of comfort signal unwavering commitment to dharma despite coercion.