Shloka 2.29.20
सीताया वनगमननिश्चयः — Sita’s Resolve to Accompany Rama to the Forest
भक्तां पतिव्रतां दीनां मां समां सुखदुःखयोः।नेतुमर्हसि काकुत्स्थ समान सुखदुःखिनीम्।।।।
ye tvayā kīrtitā doṣā vane vastavyatāṃ prati | guṇān ity eva tān viddhi tava snehapuraskṛtān ||
The hardships you have described about living in the forest—know them to be virtues, if they are borne with your love at the forefront.
O Rama, I am faithful and devoted to you. I have equal disposition to happiness and sorrow. I equally share your prosperity and adversity. Therefore, you should take your wife (to the forest). In this time of distress.
Dharma is reinterpreted as inner orientation: when one walks the righteous path together, suffering transforms into merit (guṇa) through love, loyalty, and right intention.
Rāma has enumerated dangers of forest life; Sītā responds that those dangers become acceptable—even valuable—if she can be with him.
Sītā’s resilience and dharmic optimism: she reframes adversity as spiritually meaningful when aligned with righteous companionship.