Shloka 2.38.3
अयोध्याकाण्डे अष्टत्रिंशः सर्गः — Sita in Bark Garments; Public Outcry and Dasaratha’s Lament
स निःश्वस्योष्णमैक्ष्वाक स्तां भार्यामिदमब्रवीत्।कैकेयि कुशचीरेण न सीता गन्तुमर्हति।।।।
sa niḥśvasyōṣṇam aikṣvākaḥ stāṃ bhāryām idam abravīt | kaikeyi kuśacīreṇa na sītā gantum arhati ||
The Ikṣvāku king, breathing hot sighs, spoke to his wife: “O Kaikeyī, Sītā does not deserve to depart clothed in a garment of kuśa-grass.”
The descendant of the Ikshvakus (Dasaratha), heaving hot sighs, said to his wife OKaikeyi, Sita does not deserve to go (to the forest) in garment of kusa grass.
Dharma includes proportionality and fairness: punishment or hardship should not be extended to the innocent, nor intensified through humiliation.
Daśaratha protests to Kaikeyī that Sītā should not be forced into the degrading signs of forest-ascetic life, even as Rāma is being exiled.
Daśaratha’s protective compassion toward Sītā and his sense of justice, even while trapped by promises and palace politics.