Shloka 2.52.61
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम् (Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs)
नगरीं त्वां गतं दृष्ट्वा जननी मे यवीयसी।कैकेयी प्रत्ययं गच्छेदिति रामो वनं गतः।।2.52.61।।
nagarīṃ tvāṃ gataṃ dṛṣṭvā jananī me yavīyasī |
kaikeyī pratyayaṃ gacched iti rāmo vanaṃ gataḥ || 2.52.61 ||
When my younger mother Kaikeyī sees you returned to Ayodhyā, she will be convinced: ‘Rāma has indeed gone to the forest.’
When my younger mother Kaikeyi sees that you have returned to Ayodhya, she will believe that Rama has really gone to the forest.
Dharma is upheld through transparent action: Rāma ensures there is no ambiguity about his obedience to the exile आदेश, preventing further conflict and suspicion.
Rāma explains to Sumantra that his return will serve as proof to Kaikeyī that the exile has been carried out.
Rāma’s commitment to satya (truth-in-action)—he wants his conduct to be verifiable, not merely claimed.