Shloka 2.95.13
मन्दाकिनीनदीदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Mandākinī at Citrakūṭa)
विधूतकलुषै स्सिद्धैस्तपोदमशमान्वितैः।नित्यविक्षोभितजलां विगाहस्व मया सह।।।।
darśanaṃ citrakūṭasya mandākinyāś ca śobhane | adhikaṃ puravāsāc ca manye tava ca darśanāt ||
O lovely Sītā, I deem the sight of Citrakūṭa and the Mandākinī—beheld in your presence—more delightful than dwelling in the city.
The waters of river Mandakini is perpetually agitated by siddhas who are endowed with asceticism, self-restraint and tranquillity and who are cleansed of sins by taking bath in the river. Plunge with me into this river.
Dharma is inner fulfillment over external power: Rāma values right living and loving companionship more than urban comfort or royal privilege.
In exile, Rāma reassures Sītā by expressing that their shared experience of the sacred landscape surpasses the pleasures of Ayodhyā.
Gratitude and unwavering affection—Rāma centers Sītā’s presence as the true source of joy.