Shloka 2.37.37

अयोध्याकाण्डे सर्गः ३७ — चीरधारणं, सीतासंकल्पः, वसिष्ठोपदेशः (Bark-Robe Episode and Vasistha’s Admonition)

Devanagari script

तस्मिंस्तथा जल्पति विप्रमुख्येगुरौ नृपस्याप्रतिमप्रभावे।नैव स्म सीता विनिवृत्तभावाप्रियस्य भर्तुः प्रतिकारकामा।।2.37.37।।

Transliteration

athottamāny ābharaṇāni devi dehi snuṣāyai vyapanīya cīram | na cīram asyāḥ pravidhīyate iti nyavārayat tad-vasanaṁ vasiṣṭhaḥ || 2.37.34 ||

Translation

Then Vasiṣṭha said: “O queen, remove the bark-cloth and give your daughter-in-law the finest ornaments.” Saying, “Bark-cloth has not been ordained for her,” Vasiṣṭha restrained her from donning that garment.

Context

(Though) Vasistha, endowed with matchless power, the preceptor of the king and foremost among the brahmins thus expressed himself, Sita was not willing to swerve from her resolve in order to serve her beloved husband.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē saptatriṅśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the thirtyseventh sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Kaikeyī
• Sītā
• ornaments (ābharaṇa)
• cīra (bark garment)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma includes protecting the undeserving from imposed suffering: Vasiṣṭha asserts normative propriety that Sītā was not included in the exile’s austerities.

What is the narrative situation?

As bark garments are brought out, Vasiṣṭha intervenes to prevent Sītā from being made to wear them.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vasiṣṭha’s guardianship of dharma—using moral and ritual authority to limit harm.