When the world was parched by a relentless drought for ten long years, it was Anasūyā who, through her extraordinary penance, brought forth roots and fruits to sustain life and even caused the sacred Ganges to flow. Endowed with fierce austerity and adorned by disciplines, she performed immense penance for ten thousand years. Purified by her vows and having removed all obstacles, Anasūyā, for the sake of the gods, once created a night that lasted ten days. She is revered as a motherly figure, O sinless one. Let Vaidehī—Sītā—approach this illustrious woman, honored by all beings, venerable in age, ever free from anger, and known throughout the world as Anasūyā, whose fame rests upon her virtuous deeds. When the sage had thus spoken, Rāghava agreed, saying, “So be it,” and then gently addressed Sītā, who was steadfast in righteousness. “Princess,” he said, “you have heard the sage’s words. For your own welfare, go quickly and approach this ascetic.” Hearing Rāma’s kind and caring advice, Sītā respectfully approached the venerable wife, who was learned in righteousness. Anasūyā appeared frail and wrinkled, her hair pale with age, her body trembling like a banana plant in the wind. Yet, Sītā, blessed and fortunate, greeted her without hesitation, announcing her own name and offering salutations. With joined palms and a delighted heart, Sītā inquired after Anasūyā’s well-being. Seeing Sītā, the noble and righteous woman, Anasūyā rejoiced and spoke with kindness, “Fortunate are you, Sītā, that you uphold righteousness. Having abandoned your kin, your honor, and your prosperity, you have followed Rāma into the forest. Blessed are you for your devotion.” She continued, “Whether a husband dwells in the city or the forest, whether he is virtuous or otherwise, for a woman whose husband is dear, her worlds are greatly elevated. Even if he is of poor conduct, driven by desire, or deprived of wealth, for women of noble nature, the husband is the highest deity. I see no relative greater than the husband, O Vaidehī—he is ever worthy, like the inexhaustible fruit of austerity. “But ignoble women do not discern virtue or fault in their husbands; their hearts are led by desire, and they wander, dependent on their husbands. Such women, O Maithilī, who fall into improper conduct, indeed incur disgrace and fall from righteousness. Yet women like you, endowed with virtue and understanding of the world, live according to their own noble nature, just as those who uphold righteousness. Therefore, steadfast in devotion, following the path of the faithful wives, be a companion in righteousness to your husband; from this you will attain both honor and virtue.” Thus ended the one hundred seventeenth sarga in the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa of the ancient and revered Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki. Addressed in this way by Anasūyā, Sītā, free from envy, honored her words and replied gently, “O noble lady, it is not surprising that you speak to me thus. I too know that a husband is a woman’s highest reverence. Even if my husband were without good conduct, still I would serve him unwaveringly. How much more, then, when he is virtuous, praiseworthy, compassionate, self-controlled, steadfast in love, righteous, and dear as a mother and father? “The way mighty Rāma behaves toward Kausalyā, he behaves toward all the royal women. Even toward women whom the king has seen only once, he acts with the respect due to a mother, setting aside pride. As I entered this lonely and fearful forest, my mother-in-law’s wise advice has remained firmly in my heart. And the words my own mother spoke to me at my wedding, in the presence of fire, I have always remembered. Your words have renewed all this within me, O righteous one; for a woman, there is no greater austerity than service to her husband. “Sāvitrī, by serving her husband, is honored in heaven; and you, too, have attained heaven by such conduct. She is the foremost among all women, a goddess in heaven; Rohiṇī is never seen apart from the Moon, even for a moment. In this way, the best women, firm in their vows to their husbands, are honored in the world of the gods by the merit of their own deeds.” Hearing Sītā’s words, Anasūyā was deeply delighted. She embraced Sītā’s head and spoke joyfully, “O Sītā of pure smile, through various disciplines I have attained great ascetic power. Relying on that strength, I wish to bless you. Your words are fitting and pleasing, Maithilī. I am delighted—tell me, what may I do for you?” Hearing these words, Sītā, herself endowed with ascetic power, was gently astonished and replied, “It is done.” Pleased all the more by Sītā’s humility, Anasūyā said, “O Sītā, I shall fulfill your joyful wish. Here are divine garlands, garments, ornaments, fragrant ointment, and precious unguent, O Vaidehī. These gifts I bestow upon you will adorn your limbs; they are pure and will remain so always. Anointed with this divine ointment, O daughter of Janaka, you will shine before your husband as Lakṣmī shines beside the imperishable Viṣṇu.