Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 55, Shloka 6
चित्रकूटमार्गोपदेशः
Instructions for the Chitrakuta Route and the Yamuna Crossing
ततो न्यग्रोधमासाद्य महान्तं हरितच्छदम्।।।।विवृद्धं बहुभिर्वृक्षै श्श्यामं सिद्धोपसेवितम्।तस्मै सीताञ्जलिं कृत्वा प्रयुञ्जीताशिषश्शिवाः।।।।
tato nyagrodham āsādya mahāntaṃ haritacchadam | vivṛddhaṃ bahubhir vṛkṣaiḥ śyāmaṃ siddhopasevitam | tasmai sītāñjaliṃ kṛtvā prayuñjītāśiṣaḥ śivāḥ ||
Then, upon reaching a great nyagrōdha (banyan) thick with green leaves—dark with dense growth and revered by siddhas—Sītā should fold her hands in añjali and offer auspicious prayers.
There you will find a large, banyan tree with its lush green leaves, looking dark with its densely grown trees. It is inhabited by siddhas. Sita should offer with folded palms invocations for her well-being.
FAQs
Dharma is shown as reverence toward sacred spaces and beings: offering respectful salutations and prayers reflects humility, gratitude, and alignment with auspiciousness (śiva) during hardship.
As the exiles proceed, a sacred banyan associated with siddhas is indicated as a landmark; Sītā is advised to pray there for well-being.
Sītā’s devotion and auspicious conduct—piety expressed through respectful prayer.