Shloka 2.50.44
गङ्गादर्शनम् तथा गुहसमागमः (Vision of the Gaṅgā and Meeting with Guha)
कुशचीराजिनधरं फलमूलाशिनं च माम्।विद्धि प्रणिहितं धर्मे तापसं वनगोचरम्।।2.50.44।।
kuśacīrājinadharaṃ phalamūlāśinaṃ ca mām |
viddhi praṇihitaṃ dharme tāpasaṃ vanagocaram || 2.50.44 ||
Know me as one firmly established in dharma—living as an ascetic who roams the forest, clad in kuśa-grass, bark-cloth, and antelope-skin, sustaining myself on fruits and roots.
You must know me as an ascetic devoted to righeousness,and as a wanderer in the forest wearing garments made of bark, kusa grass and antelope skin, subsisting on fruits and roots.
Dharma is shown as steadfast self-discipline: Rama frames his exile not as loss but as a righteous vow, adopting an austere, truthful way of life.
On the forest-bound journey, Rama clarifies to Guha that he is living as an ascetic in exile—accepting simplicity and restraint.
Vairāgya (detachment) and dharma-niṣṭhā (steadfastness in righteousness).