Shloka 2.119.2
अनसूयाप्रीतिदानम् — Anasūyā’s Blessing and the Forest Path
व्यक्ताक्षरपदं चित्रं भाषितं मधुरं त्वया।यथा स्वयंवरं वृत्तं तत्सर्वं हि श्रुतं मया।।।।रमेऽहं कथया ते तु दृढं मधुरभाषिणि।
ravir astaṅgataḥ śrīmān upohya rajanīṃ śivām |
divasaṃ pratikīrṇānām āhārārthaṃ patatriṇām |
sandhyākāle nilīnānāṃ nidrārthaṃ śrūyate dhvaniḥ ||
The radiant sun has set, and the auspicious night draws near. Birds that had scattered far and wide for food during the day now settle at twilight to sleep, and their calls can be heard.
You have related wonderfully and sweetly your Swayamvara with each word and each syllable uttered clearly. I have heard everything as it happened. O sweet-speaking Sita, I have greatly enjoyed your story.
Dharma is alignment with ṛta (cosmic order): recognizing the proper time for rest and restraint, and living attentively within nature’s rhythms.
The scene marks the transition to evening in the forest, describing how creatures return to rest, setting the mood for the hermitage environment.
Mindful observation and self-discipline—qualities needed for dhārmic life in exile, where one lives simply and in harmony with time and place.