Shloka 5.38.13
अभिज्ञानप्रदानम् — The Token of Recognition (Chūḍāmaṇi) and the Crow Episode Recalled
शैलस्य चित्रकूटस्य पादे पूर्वोत्तरे पुरा।।5.38.12।।तापसाश्रमवासिन्याः प्राज्यमूलफलोदके।तस्मिन्सिद्धाश्रमे देशे मन्दाकिन्या विदूरतः।।5.38.13।।तस्योपवनषण्डेषु नानापुष्पसुगन्धिषु।विहृत्य सलिले क्लिन्ना ममाङ्के समुपाविशमः।।5.38.14।।
tāpasāśramavāsinyāḥ prājyamūlaphalodake |
tasmin siddhāśrame deśe mandākinyā vidūrataḥ ||5.38.13||
Long ago we lived in the region called Siddhāśrama, a hermitage of ascetics, rich in roots, fruits, and water, and situated not far from the river Mandākinī.
'Long ago we were staying at Siddhasrama. This hermitage was situated to the northeast at the foot of Chitrakuta mountain which was not far from the river Mandakini. It had abundant roots, fruits and water. You sported with me in the gardens which were fragrant with many types of flowers and ponds. You sat down on my lap with wet clothes in the hermitage'.
He is attempting to persuade Sītā through evocative memory and intimacy, using a seemingly factual description of place to make his proposal appear credible—an ethically problematic use of speech because it serves adharma (coercion and manipulation).
Even if the geographical details are presented as true, the intent is to undermine Sītā’s dharma of fidelity and to normalize an unrighteous demand; the Ramayana repeatedly distinguishes satya as mere factuality from satya aligned with dharma—truthfulness that supports righteousness rather than exploitation.