Shloka 2.55.25
चित्रकूटमार्गोपदेशः — Instructions for the Chitrakuta Route and the Yamuna Crossing
न्यग्रोधं तमुपागम्य वैदेही वाक्यमब्रवीत्।नमस्तेऽस्तु महावृक्ष पारयेन्मे पतिर्व्रतम्।।2.55.24।।कौशल्यां चैव पश्येयं सुमित्रां च यशश्विनीम्।इति सीताऽञ्जलिं कृत्वा पर्यगच्छद्वनस्पतिम्।।2.55.25।।
nyagrodhaṃ tam upāgamya vaidehī vākyam abravīt |
namas te ’stu mahā-vṛkṣa pārayen me patir vratam ||2.55.24||
kaŭśalyāṃ caiva paśyeyaṃ sumitrāṃ ca yaśasvinīm |
iti sītā ’ñjaliṃ kṛtvā paryagacchad vanaspatim ||2.55.25||
Approaching that banyan tree, Vaidehī spoke: “Salutations to you, O great tree. May my husband fulfil his vow; may I behold Kausalyā and the illustrious Sumitrā once more.” Having said this, Sītā folded her hands in reverence and circumambulated the noble tree.
Having reached the banyan tree, Sita invoked it, saying, 'O great tree I offer you my salutations. May my husband fulfil his vow May I behold Kausalya and the illustrious Sumitra on my return. Saying so, she went round the tree offering reverential salutations with folded hands.
Dharma is steadfast marital fidelity and truthful prayer: Sita’s pativratā orientation seeks Rama’s vow-fulfilment while holding to hope of reunion with elders, blending devotion, duty, and auspicious conduct.
During the forest journey, Sita approaches a banyan tree, offers salutations, prays for Rama’s successful completion of the exile-vow, and circumambulates the tree.
Sita’s devotion and purity of intention—reverent, disciplined, and oriented toward duty and family harmony.