Shloka 2.28.16
सीतानिवर्तनप्रयत्नः — Rama’s Attempt to Dissuade Sita from Forest Exile
उपहारश्च कर्तव्यः कुसुमै स्स्वयमाहृतैः।आर्षेण विधिना वेद्यां बाले दुःखमतो वनम्।।2.28.16।।
kāryas triḥ abhiṣekaś ca kāle kāle ca nityaśaḥ |
caratā niyamenaiva tasmād duḥkhataraṃ vanam ||2.28.15||
Living by strict rule while moving about, one must perform ablutions three times daily at the appointed times; therefore, life in the forest is even more arduous.
Flowers collected with one's own hands, O innocent one, should be offered on the altar as per injunction of the Vedas. Therefore (life in the) forest is difficult.
Dharma is sustained by discipline (niyama): right living requires regular self-purification and time-bound observances even under hardship.
Rāma lists practical ascetic requirements to show Sītā that exile demands constant regimen, not comfort.
Rāma’s austerity and realism: he accepts strict practice as part of truthful dharma in exile.