Shloka 2.40.24
प्रयाणवर्णनम् (Departure from Ayodhya; Civic Lament and the Chariot’s Urgency)
कृतकृत्या हि वैदेही छायेवानुगता पतिम्।न जहाति रता धर्मे मेरुमर्कप्रभा यथा।।।।
kṛtakṛtyā hi vaidehī chāyevā’nugatā patim | na jahāti ratā dharme merum arka-prabhā yathā ||
Vaidehī, deeming her true purpose fulfilled and devoted to dharma, does not abandon her husband; she follows him like a shadow—like sunlight that never leaves Mount Meru.
Sita, deeply attached to her duty, and with her desire fulfilled is following her husband like a shadow just as the sunlight which never leaves mount Meru.
Dharma is steadfast marital fidelity grounded in righteousness: Sītā treats shared hardship as part of her sacred duty, choosing companionship in exile over comfort in the palace.
As Rāma is exiled, Sītā insists on accompanying him; the people describe her unwavering commitment through vivid similes (shadow/sunlight on Meru).
Sītā’s constancy (niṣṭhā) and dharma-centered devotion—she does not separate her life-path from her husband’s righteous path.