Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 37, Shloka 11
अयोध्याकाण्डे सर्गः ३७ — चीरधारणं, सीतासंकल्पः, वसिष्ठोपदेशः
Bark-Robe Episode and Vasistha’s Admonition
सा व्यपत्रपमाणेव प्रगृह्य च सुदुर्मनाः।कैकेयी कुशचीरे ते जानकी शुभलक्षणा।।2.37.10।।अश्रुसम्पूर्ण नेत्रा च धर्मज्ञा धर्मदर्शिनी।गन्धर्वराजप्रतिमं भर्तारमिदमब्रवीत्।।2.37.11।।
sā vyapatrapamāṇeva pragṛhya ca sudurmanāḥ | kaikeyī kuśacīre te jānakī śubhalakṣaṇā || 2.37.10 ||
aśrusampūrṇanetrā ca dharmajñā dharmadarśinī | gandharvarājapratimaṃ bhartāram idam abravīt || 2.37.11 ||
Jānakī, of auspicious marks, deeply distressed and as though ashamed, took those kuśa-bark garments from Kaikeyī. With eyes brimming with tears—she who knew dharma and perceived righteousness—she spoke these words to her husband, who appeared like the king of the Gandharvas.
Sita of auspicious nature who knew her duties and understood righteousness, took the garments made of kusa grass from Kaikeyi. With a sense of abashment her eyes suffused with tears, she said to her husband who was the very image of the king of gandharvas.
FAQs
Dharma is portrayed as steadfastness in righteous duty amid humiliation and sorrow—Sītā accepts ascetic signs while remaining committed to dharma-guided action and speech.
As preparations for forest exile unfold, Sītā receives the ascetic garments from Kaikeyī and, tearful, turns to speak to Rāma.
Sītā’s dharma-sensitivity (dharmajñā, dharmadarśinī): moral clarity combined with emotional sincerity and resolve.