Agnipravesham

Mughal painting of Sita undergoing the agnipravesham.

Agnipravesham (Sanskrit: अग्निप्रवेशम, romanizedAgnipraveśam, lit.'Fiery entrance'), also called Agnipariksha (Sanskrit: अग्निपरीक्षा, romanizedAgniparīkṣā, lit.'fiery ordeal') is the mythical practice of self-immolation described in Hindu literature. It is primarily associated with the ordeal of Sita in the Ramayana, and is regarded to be a custom inspired by Vedic tradition.

Legend

In the last book of the Ramayana, Sita undergoes the agnipravesham to offer evidence of her purity to her husband, Rama, and the people of Ayodhya, after suspicions are cast upon her virtue due to her abduction by Ravana. She invokes Agni, the god of fire, who rescues her, thereby testifying to her fidelity to Rama.

See also