Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 28, Shloka 18
सीताविलापः
Sita’s Lament and Resolve under Threat
सा शोकतप्ता बहुधा विचिन्त्यसीताऽथ वेण्युद्ग्रथनं गृहीत्वा।उद्बुध्य वेण्युद्ग्रथनेन शीघ्रमहंगमिष्यामि यमस्य मूलम्।।5.28.18।।
sā śokataptā bahudhā vicintya sītā'tha veṇyudgrathanaṃ gṛhītvā |
udbudhya veṇyudgrathanena śīghram ahaṃ gamiṣyāmi yamasya mūlam ||5.28.18||
शोकाने दग्ध झालेल्या सीतेने अनेक प्रकारे विचार करून आपल्या केसांची वेणी हातात घेतली. वेणीनेच स्वतःला बांधण्याचा त्वरेने निश्चय करून ती म्हणाली—“मी लवकरच यमराजांच्या सान्निध्यात जाईन.”
"Burning in grief, worrying in many ways, Sita took hold of her braid and said", by tying myself with this braid I shall quickly reach the presence of the lord of death".
FAQs
The verse reflects an intense moment of despair under coercion and captivity; it portrays her suffering rather than prescribing suicide as dharma. In the broader narrative, Sītā remains steadfast to dharma and satya, enduring until rescue becomes possible.
It highlights her unwavering truthfulness and chastity under threat: she would rather face death than violate her fidelity. The braid becomes a symbol of her inner resolve to uphold satya even in extreme adversity.
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