Shloka 2.29.2
सीताया वनगमननिश्चयः — Sita’s Resolve to Accompany Rama to the Forest
ये त्वया कीर्तिता दोषा वने वस्तव्यतां प्रति।गुणानित्येव तान्विद्धि तव स्नेहपुरस्कृतान्।।।।
evam asmāt svakāṃ nārīṃ suvṛttāṃ hi pativratām | nābhirocayase netuṃ tvaṃ māṃ keneha hetunā ||
Why, then, do you not consent to take me from here—your own wife, of good conduct and devoted to her husband? What reason can there be for it now?
Understand that the difficulties of forest life described by you will be turned into advantages if they are accompanied by your affection.
Dharma here is framed as rightful shared duty: a devoted spouse should not be excluded from the partner’s righteous path, especially when that path is chosen for truth and duty.
Sītā challenges Rāma’s reluctance to take her to the forest, asserting her legitimacy as his wife to accompany him.
Sītā’s courage and agency: she asserts her moral standing (suvṛtta, pativratā) as grounds for participation in hardship.