Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 1, Shloka 82
श्रीमद्रामायणकथासङ्क्षेपः / The Ramayana in Synopsis
Narada’s Summary to Valmiki
तामुवाच ततो राम: परुषं जनसंसदि ।अमृष्यमाणा सा सीता विवेश ज्वलनं सती ।।।।
tām uvāca tato rāmaḥ paruṣaṃ janasaṃsadi | amṛṣyamāṇā sā sītā viveśa jvalanaṃ satī ||
ततो रामो जनसंसदि तामुवाच परुषं वचः । अमृष्यमाणा सा सीता सती ज्वलनं विवेश ॥
Rama spoke harsh words about Sita in the assembly. Sita, incapable of enduring such words, entered fire.
FAQs
The verse presents the ethical tension between private truth and public scrutiny: dharma is portrayed as contested in the arena of reputation, requiring proof and endurance when society doubts.
In a public assembly, Rāma’s harsh words precipitate Sītā’s decision to undergo the fire ordeal to affirm her purity.
Sītā’s steadfastness (satītva) and moral courage—she chooses a severe test rather than live under suspicion.