Shloka 7
अग्निपरीक्षासाक्ष्यं
Agni’s Testimony and Sītā’s Revalidation
रावणेनापनीतैषावीर्योसतिक्तेनरक्षसा ।त्वयाविरहितादीनाविवशानिर्जनाद्वनात् ।।।।
rāvaṇenāpanītaiṣā vīryotsiktena rakṣasā |
tvayā virahitā dīnā vivaśā nirjanād vanāt ||
Perempuan ini diculik oleh Rāvaṇa, rākṣasa yang mabuk oleh keperkasaannya sendiri, ketika ia terpisah darimu—tak berdaya dan berduka—dibawa pergi dari hutan yang sunyi.
Radiating like the rising sun, adorned with polished gold ornaments, wearing red coloured clothes, with beautiful black hair, wearing fresh flowers, being in the same young form as before, blameless Vaidehi was held in the arms of the fire god and presented to Rama.
FAQs
It distinguishes victimhood from culpability: being forcibly taken does not diminish righteousness; injustice lies with the aggressor, not the violated.
Agni recounts the circumstances of Sītā’s abduction to frame her suffering as coercion, not consent.
Sītā’s helplessness under force underscores her innocence; Rāvaṇa’s arrogance highlights adharma.