Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 119, Shloka 9
सीताया अग्निप्रवेशः
Sita’s Ordeal by Fire / Agni-Pariksha
मदधीनंतुयत्तन्मेहृदयंत्वयिवर्तते ।पराधीनेषुगात्रेषुकिंकरिष्याम्यनीश्वरी ।।।।
mad-adhīnaṃ tu yat tan me hṛdayaṃ tvayi vartate | parādhīneṣu gātreṣu kiṃ kariṣyāmy anīśvarī ||
पर जो मेरे वश में है—मेरा हृदय—वह तो आप ही में स्थित है; जब मेरे अंग पराधीन थे, तब मैं अस्वतंत्र होकर क्या कर सकती थी?
"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?"
FAQs
Dharma recognizes the primacy of inner intention and steadfastness (hṛdaya-niṣṭhā) when the body is constrained; judgement must consider freedom and consent.
Sītā concludes her argument by separating inner devotion to Rāma from the externally controlled condition of her body during captivity.
Steadfast loyalty and self-knowledge—Sītā asserts unwavering inner commitment despite external coercion.