Shloka 2.38.6

अयोध्याकाण्डे अष्टत्रिंशः सर्गः — Sita in Bark Garments; Public Outcry and Dasaratha’s Lament

Devanagari script

चीराण्यपास्याज्जनकस्य कन्यानेयं प्रतिज्ञा मम दत्तपूर्वा।यथासुखं गच्छतु राजपुत्रीवनं समग्रा सह सर्वरत्नैः।।।।

Transliteration

cīrāṇy apāsyāj janakasya kanyā neyaṃ pratijñā mama dattapūrvā | yathāsukhaṃ gacchatu rājaputrī vanaṃ samagrā saha sarvaratnaiḥ ||

Translation

Let Janaka’s daughter cast off these bark garments; this was never the promise I gave before. Let the princess go to the forest in comfort, fully provided, with all her jewels.

Context

Let the daughter of Janaka take off her bark garments. This is not the promise I had made to you earlier. Let the princess happily go to the forest adorned with all jewels and with all other necessities.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kaikeyī
• Sītā
• Janaka
• jewels (ratna)

FAQs

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

Dharma weighs the scope of a vow: even when truth must be kept, cruelty beyond what was promised is adharma; compassion should govern implementation.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha argues with Kaikeyī that Sītā was not included in the harsh terms and should not be forced into ascetic deprivation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s attempt at righteous moderation—seeking to keep commitments while preventing needless suffering.