Anasuya Entrusts Sita's Name to Future Generations
Aranya Kanda, Doha 6
Doha 6 · Movement 2 of 2
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Anasuya concludes within the terms of the dharma she has taught: a woman she calls impure by nature attains the blessed destination through devoted service to her husband. She points to Tulasi, beloved of Hari, whose glory the four Vedas continue to sing.
Then her words turn directly toward Sita. In ages to come, women will remember Sita's name and undertake the vow of fidelity. The princess seated before her is not merely receiving instruction; her own life will become the remembered measure by which the teaching enters innumerable homes.
Anasuya knows that Rama is dearer to Sita than life. She therefore does not present the counsel as correction of a deficiency. She declares that she has spoken it for the welfare of the world, allowing the quiet meeting in Atri's hermitage to extend far beyond its leaves and firelight.
From the hermitage, Sita's name travels forward as the remembered flame of an undivided vow.
Read the passage from the Manas
सहज अपावनि नारि पति सेवत सुभ गति लहइ। जसु गावत श्रुति चारि अजहु तुलसिका हरिहि प्रिय।।5(क)।। सुनु सीता तव नाम सुमिर नारि पतिब्रत करहि। तोहि प्रानप्रिय राम कहिउँ कथा संसार हित।।5(ख)।।
By nature impure, a woman is made pure through devoted service to her husband. Even today the four Vedas sing the glory of Tulasi, beloved of Hari. Listen, Sita: women will remember your name and take up the vow of faithfulness. Rama is dearer to you than life itself. I have spoken this story for the welfare of the whole world.