Shloka 2.60.12
षष्टितमः सर्गः — Kausalyā’s Lament and Sumantra’s Consolation (Sītā’s Fearless Forest-Life)
परिपृच्छति वैदेही ग्रामांश्च नगराणि च।गतिं दृष्ट्वा नदीनां च पादपान्विविधानपि।।।।रामं हि लक्ष्मणं वापि पृष्ट्वा जानाति जानकी।अयोध्या क्रोशमात्रे तु विहारमिव संश्रिता।।।।
paripṛcchati vaidehī grāmāṃś ca nagarāṇi ca |
gatiṃ dṛṣṭvā nadīnāṃ ca pādapān vividhān api ||
rāmaṃ hi lakṣmaṇaṃ vāpi pṛṣṭvā jānāti jānakī |
ayodhyā krōśamātre tu vihāram iva saṃśritā ||
Vaidehī, seeing villages and towns, the courses of rivers, and trees of many kinds, keeps asking about them; and after asking either Rāma or Lakṣmaṇa, Jānakī comes to know them—dwelling as though in a pleasure-grove only a krośa away from Ayodhyā.
Seeing villages, cities, trees of different kinds and courses of rivers, Sita is enquiringfrom Rama or Lakshmana about them. She feels as though she is sporting in the pleasuregarden just a krosa from Ayodhya.
Dharma here is expressed as mindful companionship and steadiness: Sītā’s curiosity and calmness reflect inner order (dharma) that does not collapse under external change.
During the departure from Ayodhyā, Sītā observes the landscape and asks Rāma or Lakṣmaṇa about what she sees, appearing so at ease that it feels like a nearby excursion rather than exile.
Composure and adaptability—Sītā remains attentive and serene, strengthening the group’s morale through her balanced presence.