Shloka 2.28.1
सीतानिवर्तनप्रयत्नः — Rama’s Attempt to Dissuade Sita from Forest Exile
स एवं ब्रुवतीं सीतां धर्मज्ञो धर्मवत्सलः।न नेतुं कुरुते बुद्धिं वने दुःखानि चिन्तयन्।।2.28.1।।
sa evaṁ bruvatīṁ sītāṁ dharmajño dharmavatsalaḥ | na netuṁ kurute buddhiṁ vane duḥkhāni cintayan ||
Though Sītā spoke in this manner, Rāma—knowing dharma and devoted to it—reflected on the sufferings of forest life and did not resolve to take her along.
Rama, who knew his duties and was devoted to righteousness, reflected on the difficulties of forest (life) and did not agree to take Sita even though she was pleading the way she did.
Dharma includes protective responsibility: Rāma weighs duty and compassion, hesitating to expose Sītā to foreseeable suffering even when she insists.
After Sītā’s arguments, Rāma considers the dangers of exile and initially refuses to take her.
Rāma’s prudent compassion—dharma-informed care for another’s well-being.