Valmiki Ramayana 2.29.19: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 29, Shloka 19
सीताया वनगमननिश्चयः · Sita’s Resolve to Accompany Rama to the Forest
एवमस्मात्स्वकां नारीं सुवृत्तां हि पतिव्रताम् ।
नाभिरोचयसे नेतुं त्वं मां केनेह हेतुना ॥१९॥
evam asmāt svakāṃ nārīṃ suvṛttāṃ hi pativratām |
nābhirocayase netuṃ tvaṃ māṃ keneha hetunā ||19||
Warum also willst du nicht einwilligen, mich von hier mitzunehmen—mich, deine eigene Gattin, von guter Lebensführung und dem Gatten gelobter Treue? Welcher Grund könnte jetzt noch bestehen?
Why don't you want to take to the forest your own wife who is loyal and devoted, and is of good conduct.
FAQs
Dharma here is framed as rightful shared duty: a devoted spouse should not be excluded from the partner’s righteous path, especially when that path is chosen for truth and duty.
Sītā challenges Rāma’s reluctance to take her to the forest, asserting her legitimacy as his wife to accompany him.
Sītā’s courage and agency: she asserts her moral standing (suvṛtta, pativratā) as grounds for participation in hardship.
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