Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.3227

c9.3227

When Sītā came to the āśrama of Vālmīki after being abandoned by Śrī Rāma, Vālmīki wanted to test her chastity. So the sages asked Sītā to enter the pond and reach the other shore. “Oh goddess of Earth, if even in my dreams no other person than my husband has entered my thoughts, let me reach the other shore safe." So saying Sītā entered the water and the goddess of Earth placed her in her lap and took her to the other shore. Sītā did not get even wet. All the sages called her 'Mahāsādhvī' meaning supremely chaste woman. (Taraṅga 1, Alaṅkāravatilambaka, Kathāsaritsāgara).