Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 37, Shloka 35
अयोध्याकाण्डे सर्गः ३७ — चीरधारणं, सीतासंकल्पः, वसिष्ठोपदेशः
Bark-Robe Episode and Vasistha’s Admonition
एकस्य रामस्य वने निवासस्त्वया वृतःकेकयराजपुत्री।विभूषितेयं प्रतिकर्मनित्या वसत्वरण्ये सह राघवेण।।2.37.35।।
ekasya rāmasya vane nivāsas tvayā vṛtaḥ kekaya-rāja-putrī | vibhūṣitā iyaṁ pratikarma-nityā vasatv araṇye saha rāghaveṇa || 2.37.35 ||
O princess of Kekaya, you sought forest-dwelling for Rāma alone. Therefore let this Sītā—ever accustomed to adornment—live in the wilderness together with Rāghava, remaining well adorned.
O best among the virtuous! O lord of the world, I do not have any use for this army. I am giving away everything (to Bharata). Bring the bark only.
FAQs
Dharma stresses fairness and precision: since Kaikeyī’s demand targeted only Rāma, extending deprivation to Sītā is ethically unjustified.
Vasiṣṭha argues that Sītā should not be forced into bark-cloth austerity because Kaikeyī’s boon did not specify her.
Vasiṣṭha’s moral reasoning and advocacy for Sītā’s dignified treatment.