Shloka 2.26.8
अयोध्याकाण्डे षड्विंशः सर्गः — Rama’s Departure and Sita’s Questions; Disclosure of Exile and Counsel on Courtly Conduct
विवर्णवदनं दृष्ट्वा तं प्रस्विन्नममर्षणम्।आह दुःखाभिसन्तप्ता किमिदानीमिदं प्रभो।।।।
vivarṇa-vadanaṃ dṛṣṭvā taṃ prasvinnam amarṣaṇam | āha duḥkhābhisantaptā kim idānīm idaṃ prabho ||
Seeing him pale-faced, drenched in sweat, and burning with indignation, Sītā—herself scorched by sorrow—said: “My lord, what is this now?”
On seeing Rama with a pale face. indignant and heavily perspiring, Sita, consumed with grief said, My Lord, why are you now like this?
Dharma appears as empathetic inquiry: Sītā does not ignore visible suffering; she seeks truthful understanding so that right action can follow.
Sītā observes alarming physical signs in Rāma and asks him directly what has happened.
Sītā’s courage and care—she confronts distress with a direct, respectful question.