Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 19, Shloka 21
सीताव्यथा
वर्णनम् / Sītā’s Distress and Rāvaṇa’s Attempt at Coercive Allurement
उपवासेन शोकेन ध्यानेन च भयेन च।परिक्षीणां कृशां दीनामल्पाहारां तपोधनाम्।।।।
upavāsena śokena dhyānena ca bhayena ca |
parikṣīṇāṃ kṛśāṃ dīnām alpāhārāṃ tapodhanām ||
Consumida por el ayuno y la pena, por la cavilación y el temor, estaba agotada, enjuta y abatida—comiendo poco, mas rica en el tesoro de la austeridad.
Her body looked colourful with dust. Although she deserved adornment, she had none. She was like a lotus stem in mud looking bright yet dull (with mud).
FAQs
Dharma can be guarded through tapas—self-restraint and refusal to be morally broken by fear; suffering is not allowed to become untruth.
Sītā’s physical decline is described as the result of captivity, threats, and constant sorrow.
Tapas and self-control—strength expressed as disciplined endurance rather than outward power.