Shloka 18
चित्रकूटमार्गोपदेशः
Instructions for the Chitrakuta Route and the Yamuna Crossing
आरोप्य प्रथमं सीतां सङ्घाटं परिगृह्य तौ।तत प्रतेरतुर्यत्तौ वीरौ दशरथात्मजौ।।।।
āropya prathamaṃ sītāṃ saṅghāṭaṃ parigṛhya tau | tataḥ pratēratur yattau vīrau daśarathātmajau ||
Zuerst setzten sie Sītā auf das Floß und hielten es fest; dann setzten die beiden Helden, die Söhne Daśarathas, mit wachsamer Sorgfalt über.
On reaching the middle of the river Yamuna, Sita made reverential salutations to her saying O goddess, I am crossing you, may safety be ours and may my husband fulfil his vow! After Rama's (safe) return to the city (of Ayodhya) ruled by the Ikshvaku kings, I shall worship you with a thousand cows and a hundred pots of wine.
FAQs
Dharma appears as considerate protection and proper conduct: the brothers ensure Sītā’s safety first, then proceed—placing duty of care above haste.
Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa manage the raft so Sītā can board safely, and then they cross the river cautiously.
Attentiveness and protective responsibility (rakṣaṇa-bhāva), especially toward Sītā.