Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 26, Shloka 13
अयोध्याकाण्डे षड्विंशः सर्गः
Rama’s Departure and Sita’s Questions; Disclosure of Exile and Counsel on Courtly Conduct
न ते क्षौद्रं च दधि च ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः।मूर्ध्नि मूर्धाभिषिक्तस्य ददति स्म विधानतः।।।।
na te kṣaudraṃ ca dadhi ca brāhmaṇā vedapāragāḥ | mūrdhni mūrdhābhiṣiktasya dadati sma vidhānataḥ ||
Why is it that the Brahmins, learned in the Vedas, have not—according to the prescribed rite—sprinkled on your head the honey-and-curd mixture that is customary at the consecration?
How is it that brahmins versed in the Vedas have not duly sprinkled the mixture of honey and curd on your head (prior to your consecration)?
FAQs
Dharma here appears as fidelity to prescribed social-religious order: royal consecration is not merely political but a sanctified rite, and its absence signals a rupture in rightful procedure.
Sītā observes that the usual signs of Rāma’s imminent coronation are missing and questions him about the disrupted preparations.
Sītā’s attentiveness and discernment: she recognizes dharmic/ritual markers of kingship and perceives that something is wrong.