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 ||
Wahai wira, mengapa engkau berkata kepadaku dengan kata-kata yang tidak sepadan dengan dirimu—begitu pedih di telinga dan kasar—seolah-olah orang biasa menegur wanita biasa?
"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.