Shloka 3.9.34
सीताया धर्मोपदेशः—शस्त्रसंयोगदोषकथा (Sita’s Counsel on Dharma and the Peril of Weapon-Association)
आत्मानं नियमैस्तैस्तै कर्शयित्वा प्रयत्नतः।।3.9.32।।
प्राप्यते निपुणैर्धर्मो न सुखाल्लभ्यते सुखम्।
ātmānaṃ niyamas tais tais karśayitvā prayatnataḥ |
prāpyate nipuṇair dharmo na sukhāl labhyate sukham ||
By disciplined observances—one after another—carefully and with effort, the wise make themselves austere and thereby attain dharma; happiness is not obtained merely from comfort.
I told you all this out of feminine fickleness. Who can guide you in the ways of dharma? After carefully deliberating the matter with your brother you may act according to your wish. Let there be no delay (hesitation).ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē araṇyakāṇḍē navamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the ninth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Dharma is achieved through disciplined restraint (niyama) and effort; mere ease or indulgence does not generate true well-being.
Sītā reinforces the ascetic ethos of forest life: the environment calls for discipline, not the pursuit of comfort or the habits of power.
Austerity and disciplined perseverance—valuing inner formation over immediate pleasure.