Shloka 2.26.20
अयोध्याकाण्डे षड्विंशः सर्गः — Rama’s Departure and Sita’s Questions; Disclosure of Exile and Counsel on Courtly Conduct
कुले महति सम्भूते धर्मज्ञे धर्मचारिणि।शृणु जानकि येनेदं क्रमेणाभ्यागतं मम।।।।
kule mahati sambhūte dharmajñe dharmacāriṇi | śṛṇu jānaki yenedaṃ krameṇābhyāgataṃ mama ||
O Jānakī—born in a noble lineage, knowing dharma and living by it—listen, and I shall tell you how, step by step, this has come upon me.
You were born in a noble family. You know and practise dharma. I shall tell you how this banishment has come about. Do listen.
Truth spoken with respect: Rāma prepares to explain events transparently, addressing Sītā as a dharmic partner capable of understanding moral causality.
After revealing the exile, Rāma begins narrating to Sītā the chain of causes behind it.
Rāma’s respectful communication and moral seriousness—he treats Sītā as a conscientious agent grounded in dharma.