Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 119, Shloka 5
सीताया अग्निप्रवेशः
Sita’s Ordeal by Fire / Agni-Pariksha
किंमामसदृशंवाक्यमीदृशंश्रोत्रदारुणम् ।रूक्षंश्रावयसेवीर प्राकृतःप्राकृतमिव ।।।।
kiṃ mām asadṛśaṃ vākyam īdṛśaṃ śrotra-dāruṇam | rūkṣaṃ śrāvayase vīra prākṛtaḥ prākṛtam iva ||
वीर! तुम मुझसे अपने स्वभाव के विपरीत ऐसे वचन क्यों कहते हो, जो कानों को कठोर लगते हैं और रूखे हैं—मानो कोई साधारण पुरुष किसी साधारण स्त्री से बोल रहा हो?
"Hero! Why are you addressing me in such harsh unkind words in a rude manner, in a harsh tone like a common man?"
FAQs
Dharma includes restraint and fairness in speech: even in doubt or pain, one should not speak in a degrading, harsh manner that violates maryādā (dignified conduct).
After Rāvaṇa’s defeat, Sītā responds to Rāma’s severe words by questioning why he addresses her so harshly and uncharacteristically.
Sītā’s self-respect and moral clarity—she challenges unjust speech while maintaining a reasoned defence of her integrity.