Shloka 2.28.14
सीतानिवर्तनप्रयत्नः — Rama’s Attempt to Dissuade Sita from Forest Exile
देवतानां पित्रूणां कर्तव्यं विधिपूर्वकम्।प्राप्तानामतिथीनां च नित्यशः प्रतिपूजनम्।।2.28.14।।
sāntvayitvā punas tāṃ tu bāṣpa-dūṣita-locanām |
nivartanārthe dharmātmā vākyam etad uvāca ha ||2.28.2||
Having consoled Sītā, whose eyes were clouded with tears, the righteous-souled Rāma spoke these words again, intending to dissuade her from following him to the forest.
One has to worship gods and ancestors according to tradition and extend hospitality to guests, (who arrive unexpectedly).
Dharma is expressed as compassionate responsibility: Rāma’s righteousness includes protecting Sītā from foreseeable suffering, even while he himself accepts hardship for duty.
Sītā insists on accompanying Rāma to exile; Rāma, after consoling her, resumes his attempt to dissuade her by describing the forest’s rigors.
Rāma’s compassion and moral steadiness (dharmātmatā): he speaks gently yet firmly, guided by duty and concern.