Shloka 5.36.41
सीताप्रत्यय-प्रदानम् (Sita’s Recognition and Reassurance by the Envoy)
न मांसं राघवो भुङक्ते न चाऽपि मधु सेवते।वन्यं सुविहितं नित्यं भक्तमश्नाति पञ्चमम्।।।।
na māṃsaṃ rāghavo bhuṅkte na cāpi madhu sevate | vanyaṃ suvihitaṃ nityaṃ bhaktam aśnāti pañcamam ||
Rāghava eats no meat, nor does he partake of wine; he ever subsists on forest fare alone, in the measured portion prescribed as an ascetic discipline.
"Rama is not eating meat, nor drinking wine. He takes only the one fifth of a meal(sanctioned for an ascetic) available in the forest.
Dharma as self-control (dama) and purity: Rāma’s restraint reflects disciplined living and moral clarity while pursuing a righteous mission.
Hanumān informs Sītā of Rāma’s austere habits in the forest, showing how deeply he has embraced disciplined conduct during separation.
Rāma’s temperance and ascetic steadiness under suffering.