Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 40, Shloka 24
प्रयाणवर्णनम्
Departure from Ayodhya; Civic Lament and the Chariot’s Urgency
कृतकृत्या हि वैदेही छायेवानुगता पतिम्।न जहाति रता धर्मे मेरुमर्कप्रभा यथा।।।।
kṛtakṛtyā hi vaidehī chāyevā’nugatā patim | na jahāti ratā dharme merum arka-prabhā yathā ||
Vaidehī, creyendo cumplido su verdadero deber y entregada al dharma, no abandona a su esposo; lo sigue como una sombra, como la luz del sol que no deja al monte Meru.
Sita, deeply attached to her duty, and with her desire fulfilled is following her husband like a shadow just as the sunlight which never leaves mount Meru.
FAQs
Dharma is steadfast marital fidelity grounded in righteousness: Sītā treats shared hardship as part of her sacred duty, choosing companionship in exile over comfort in the palace.
As Rāma is exiled, Sītā insists on accompanying him; the people describe her unwavering commitment through vivid similes (shadow/sunlight on Meru).
Sītā’s constancy (niṣṭhā) and dharma-centered devotion—she does not separate her life-path from her husband’s righteous path.