Shloka 2.37.12
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 mumohā muhur muhuḥ || 2.37.12 ||
Unskilled in such ways, Sītā kept asking in confusion, “How do the forest-dwelling sages fasten the bark-cloth?” and again and again she fell into bewilderment.
Sita, unacquainted with wearing bark robes, asked Rama, perplexed 'How do the sages who live in the forest wear bark garment?'.
Dharma here appears as willing adaptation to righteous hardship: Sītā earnestly learns the disciplines of forest-life to share her husband’s exile.
As preparations for vanavāsa (forest-exile) begin, Sītā, unused to ascetic clothing, asks how bark garments are worn.
Commitment and humility—Sītā’s readiness to learn and endure austerity for dharma and companionship.