Shloka 3.9.33
सीताया धर्मोपदेशः—शस्त्रसंयोगदोषकथा (Sita’s Counsel on Dharma and the Peril of Weapon-Association)
नित्यं शुचिमतिस्सौम्य चर धर्मं तपोवने।।3.9.33।।सर्वं हि विदितं तुभ्यं त्रैलोक्यमपि तत्त्वतः।
dharmād arthaḥ prabhavati dharmāt prabhavate sukham |
dharmeṇa labhate sarvaṃ dharmasāram idaṃ jagat ||
From dharma arises prosperity; from dharma arises happiness. Through dharma one attains everything—this world has dharma as its very essence.
O gentle one! you may move in this forest of ascetics with a pure mind. The true meaning behind everything in these three worlds is known to you, indeed.
Dharma is the primary cause: it is portrayed as the foundation from which legitimate prosperity (artha) and true happiness (sukha) arise.
Sītā argues in moral terms, presenting dharma as the guiding principle that should govern choices even during forest exile.
Commitment to dharma as the highest value—placing righteousness prior to gain or pleasure.