Shloka 2.55.23
चित्रकूटमार्गोपदेशः — Instructions for the Chitrakuta Route and the Yamuna Crossing
ते तीर्णाः प्लवमुत्सृज्य प्रस्थाय यमुनावनात्।श्यामं न्यग्रोध मासेदु श्शीतलं हरितच्छदम्।।।।
nyagrodhaṃ tam upāgamya vaidehī vākyam abravīt | namas te 'stu mahāvṛkṣa pārayen me patir vratam ||
kauśalyāṃ caiva paśyeyaṃ sumitrāṃ ca yaśasvinīm | iti sītā añjaliṃ kṛtvā paryagacchad vanaspatim ||
Reaching that banyan, Vaidehī spoke: “Salutations to you, O great tree. May my husband’s vow be fulfilled; may I again behold Kauśalyā and the illustrious Sumitrā.” So Sītā, joining her palms, circumambulated the lordly tree in reverence.
Having crossed the river, they left the float and proceeded from the adjoining forest of Yamuna and reached the dark, cool banyan tree covered with lush green leaves.
Dharma is fidelity to vows and reverence to sacred life: Sītā’s prayer centers on the truthful completion of Rāma’s vow and respectful remembrance of family elders.
After the Yamunā crossing, Sītā reaches a banyan tree, offers salutations, prays for the fulfilment of vows and reunion with elders, and circumambulates the tree.
Devotion and constancy (niṣṭhā), expressed through prayer, respect, and hope grounded in dharmic return.