Shloka 2.29.7
सीताया वनगमननिश्चयः — Sita’s Resolve to Accompany Rama to the Forest
पतिहीना तु या नारी न सा शक्ष्यति जीवितुम्।काममेवं विधं राम त्वया मम निदर्शितम्।।।।
patihīnā tu yā nārī na sā śakṣyati jīvitum | kāmam evaṃvidhaṃ rāma tvayā mama nidarśitam ||
A woman bereft of her husband cannot truly live. This very truth, O Rama, you have clearly demonstrated to me.
Your salutary instruction to me, O Rama, is 'A woman cannot live without her husband'. This truth is greatly applicable to me.
It articulates the traditional marital dharma (pativratā ideal) as Sītā understands it: her life-purpose and righteousness are bound to sharing her husband’s path, especially in hardship.
Sītā responds to Rāma’s attempt to dissuade her from forest life by declaring separation itself would be unbearable and contrary to her understanding of wifely duty.
Constancy and devotion—Sītā’s unwavering commitment to companionship in both prosperity and exile.