Shloka 2.28.6
सीतानिवर्तनप्रयत्नः — Rama’s Attempt to Dissuade Sita from Forest Exile
हितबुद्ध्या खलु वचो मयैतदभिधीयते।सदा सुखं न जानामि दुःखमेव सदा वनम्।।2.28.6।।
krodhalobhau vimoktavyau kartavyā tapase matiḥ |
na bhetavyaṃ ca bhetavye nityaṃ duḥkham ato vanam || 2.28.24 ||
Anger and greed must be relinquished, and the mind must be fixed on austerity; even amid fearful circumstances one must not succumb to fear. Therefore, forest life is unceasing hardship.
I am saying all this in your interest. The forest is a haven of hardships. I know of nohappiness in the forest.
Dharma in hardship requires inner discipline: conquering anger and greed, cultivating tapas, and maintaining courage even when fear is justified.
Rāma describes the mental and moral demands of forest life—self-restraint and fearlessness—to show how difficult it is, especially for Sītā.
Self-mastery (dama) and steadfastness—qualities required for ascetic living and for meeting danger without panic.