Sītā, daughter of Janaka and beloved wife of Rāma, approached the venerable ascetic Anasūyā with great respect. With her hands joined in reverence and her heart filled with delight, she greeted the blameless sage and inquired gently after her well-being. Anasūyā, seeing before her the radiant and virtuous Sītā, spoke to her with kind words, her voice full of joy: “Fortune indeed smiles upon you, dear Sītā, for you are steadfast in righteousness. You have left behind your kinsfolk, your honor, and your prosperity, and have followed Rāma into the hardship of forest exile. By your good fortune, you are able to accompany him in this way. “Whether a husband dwells in the city or the forest, whether he is virtuous or otherwise, for those women whose hearts are devoted to their husbands, their worlds are truly elevated. Even if he is of poor conduct, swayed by desire, or deprived of wealth, for women of noble character, the husband is regarded as the highest deity. I see no relative greater than the husband, O Vaidehī; everywhere and in all circumstances, he is suitable, like the inexhaustible fruit of austerity. “But women of lesser nature do not discern virtue or fault in their husbands; their hearts are led only by desire, and they wander, dependent on their husbands’ ways. Such women, O Maithili, who fall into improper conduct, surely incur disgrace and fall away from righteousness. “Yet women like you, endowed with virtue and understanding the ways of the world, live according to their noble nature, just as those who uphold dharma. Therefore, you, steadfast in devotion and following the path of the faithful wives, be a true companion in righteousness to your husband; through this, you will attain both honor and virtue.” Thus concluded the one hundred seventeenth sarga of the glorious Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa of the ancient and revered Rāmāyaṇa composed by Vālmīki. Hearing these words, Sītā, free from envy, honored Anasūyā’s counsel and replied gently, “O noble lady, it is no wonder that you speak to me in this way. I, too, understand that a husband is a woman’s highest reverence. Even if my husband were to be without good conduct, still he is to be served by me without deviation. How much more, then, when he is virtuous, praiseworthy, compassionate, self-controlled, steadfast in love, righteous, and as dear as mother and father? “The way mighty Rāma behaves toward Kausalyā, he acts with the same respect toward all the royal women. Even toward those whom the king has seen only once, Rāma, devoted to righteousness, shows the respect due to a mother, setting aside all pride. “And as I entered this lonely and fearful forest, the great advice my mother-in-law gave me remains firmly in my heart. The words my own mother spoke to me long ago at the time of my marriage, in the presence of the sacred fire, I have also kept in mind. All this has been renewed in me by your words, 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 in service to your husband. She is 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 of women, firm in their vows to their husbands, are honored in the world of the gods by the merit of their own deeds.” Delighted by Sītā’s words, Anasūyā embraced her and spoke with affection, “Through various disciplines I have attained great ascetic power, O Sītā of the radiant smile; relying on that strength, I wish to bless you. Your words are fitting and pleasing, Maithili. I am delighted—tell me, what may I do for you?” Sītā, gentle and endowed with ascetic power herself, was astonished by this offer and replied modestly, “It is done.” Pleased 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, unblemished, and will remain so always. Anointed with this divine ointment, O daughter of Janaka, you will shine upon your husband as Lakshmi does upon the imperishable Vishnu.” Sītā accepted the garments, ointment, ornaments, and garlands—an unsurpassed gift of affection. Having received these treasures, the illustrious Sītā stood with joined palms, reverently attending upon the ascetic lady. As Sītā sat thus in attendance, Anasūyā, steadfast in her vows, began to speak again, her voice gentle and inviting: “O Sītā, I have heard the story that you were won by this illustrious Raghava in a svayamvara. Maithili, I wish to hear that story in detail; please recount it to me fully, just as you experienced it.” Thus addressed, Sītā replied to the righteous lady, “Listen,” and began her tale: “The valiant ruler of Mithila, named Janaka, was devoted to righteousness and governed his land according to the warrior’s code and justice. As he was ploughing a field with his own hands, it is said that I, the king’s daughter, arose, breaking through the surface of the earth. Seeing me there, covered in dust and intent on scattering clods, King Janaka was astonished.