Shloka 4.1.111
पम्पा-तीर-वर्णनम् / Rama’s Lament at Pampa and the Approach to Rishyamuka
प्राप्य दुखं वने श्यामा मां मन्मथविकर्शितम्।नष्टदुःखेव हृष्टेव साध्वी साध्वभ्यभाषत।।।।
prāpya duḥkhaṃ vane śyāmā māṃ manmatha-vikarśitam | naṣṭaduḥkheva hṛṣṭeva sādhvī sādhv abhyabhāṣata ||
Though she had met with hardship in the forest, the young, chaste one spoke to me—when I was tormented and drawn by desire—as if her sorrow had vanished, as if rejoicing, with words fitting and proper.
My young and faithful beloved used to put up a brave face and speak to me in all propriety to cheer me up in the midst of suffering in the forest whenever I felt tormented by passion.
The verse commends steadiness and supportive speech as dharma in adversity—responding to another’s agitation with propriety, restraint, and encouragement.
Rama recollects how Sita, despite forest hardships, spoke in a composed and uplifting manner when Rama was inwardly disturbed.
Sita’s forbearance (kṣamā) and chastity (sādhvītva), expressed through disciplined, healing speech.