Shloka 2.52.69
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम् (Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs)
दीर्घबाहुर्नरव्याघ्रो जटिलत्वमधारयत्।।2.52.69।।तौ तदा चीरवसनौ जटामण्डलधारिणौ।आशोभेतामृषिसमौ भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ।।2.52.70।।
dīrgha-bāhur nara-vyāghro jaṭilatvam adhārayat ||2.52.69||
tau tadā cīra-vasanau jaṭā-maṇḍala-dhāriṇau |
āśobhetām ṛṣi-samau bhrātarau rāma-lakṣmaṇau ||2.52.70||
The long-armed Rama, tiger among men, assumed the state of matted hair. Then the two brothers—Rama and Lakshmana—clad in bark garments and wearing crowns of matted locks, shone like a pair of sages.
The long-armed Rama, the best of men, put on locks of matted hair. As the twobrothers, Rama and Lakshmana stood dressed in bark wearing crowns of matted hair, they resembled two resplendent ascetics.
Dharma is congruence between inner resolve and outer life: the brothers visibly adopt the ascetic mode appropriate to exile, showing sincerity rather than indulgence.
Rama and Lakshmana complete their transformation into forest-dwellers, wearing bark garments and matted hair, appearing like sages.
Renunciation with dignity—steadfast acceptance of hardship without loss of radiance or composure.