Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 37, Shloka 12
अयोध्याकाण्डे सर्गः ३७ — चीरधारणं, सीतासंकल्पः, वसिष्ठोपदेशः
Bark-Robe Episode and Vasistha’s Admonition
कथं नु चीरं बध्नन्ति मुनयो वनवासिनः।इति ह्यकुशला सीता सा मुमोह मुहुर्मुहुः।।2.37.12।।
kathaṃ nu cīraṃ badhnanti munayo vanavāsinaḥ | iti hy akuśalā sītā sā mumoha muhur muhuḥ ||
“How indeed do the sages who dwell in the forest fasten the bark-cloth?”—so spoke Sītā; unskilled in such attire, she grew bewildered again and again.
Sita of auspicious nature who knew her duties and understood righteousness, took the garments made of kusa grass from Kaikeyi. With a sense of abashment her eyes suffused with tears, she said to her husband who was the very image of the king of gandharvas.
FAQs
Dharma includes learning the practices required by one’s chosen duty; Sītā’s question reflects sincere readiness to adopt austerity truthfully, without pretence.
Sītā, newly confronted with ascetic life, struggles with the practical detail of wearing bark garments and asks Rāma for guidance.
Teachability and earnest commitment—Sītā’s willingness to learn the disciplines of forest life as part of her dharmic resolve.