Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 117, Shloka 17
अत्र्याश्रमगमनम् तथा अनसूयोपदेशः
Arrival at Atri’s Hermitage and Anasuya’s Counsel
शिथिलां वलितां वृद्धां जरापाण्डुरमूर्धजाम्।सततं वेपमानाङ्गीं प्रवाते कदलीं यथा।। ।।तां तु सीता महाभागामनसूयां पतिव्रताम्।अभ्यवादयदव्यग्रा स्वं नाम समुदाहरत्।।।।
śithilāṃ valitāṃ vṛddhāṃ jarā-pāṇḍura-mūrdhajām |
satataṃ vepamānāṅgīṃ pravāte kadalīṃ yathā ||
她羸弱、皱褶、年迈，白发因老而苍；四肢常常颤动，如强风中摇曳的芭蕉。
Highly chaste and fortunate Anasuya was very old and feeble. Her skin was wrinkled and her hair turned grey due to old age. Her body was constantly trembling like a plantain tree in a stormy wind. Pronouncing her name to such Anasuya, Sita made obeisance to her with utmost concentration.
FAQs
Dharma includes honoring venerable elders regardless of physical frailty; spiritual worth is not diminished by age, and reverence is due to a life of righteousness.
The text describes Anasūyā’s advanced age and physical weakness as Sītā approaches her.
Anasūyā’s lifelong tapas is implied behind the description; the virtue highlighted for the audience is respect toward aged, spiritually accomplished persons.