Shloka 2.28.13
सीतानिवर्तनप्रयत्नः — Rama’s Attempt to Dissuade Sita from Forest Exile
उपवासश्च कर्तव्यो यथा प्राणेन मैथिलि।जटाभारश्च कर्तव्यो वल्कलाम्बरधारिणा।।2.28.13।।
upavāsaś ca kartavyo yathā prāṇena maithili | jaṭābhāraś ca kartavyo valkalāmbaradhāriṇā ||
Fasting too must be undertaken according to one’s strength, O Maithilī; and one who wears bark-garments must also bear the burden of matted hair (jaṭā).
One has to wear robes of bark and matted hair and take to fasting as long as one can, O daughter of Mithila!
Dharma in exile is austerity with measure: Rāma notes fasting should match one’s capacity, combining discipline with responsible self-care.
Rāma outlines the ascetic requirements of forest life—fasting, bark garments, and matted hair—continuing his attempt to dissuade or prepare Sītā.
Measured austerity and practical righteousness—discipline without self-destruction.