Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 36, Shloka 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 ||
ರಾಘವನು ಮಾಂಸವನ್ನು ಭುಂಜಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ, ಮಧು (ಮದ್ಯ)ವನ್ನೂ ಸೇವಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ; ಅವನು ನಿಯಮಾನುಸಾರ ಸದಾ ವನ್ಯಾಹಾರವನ್ನೇ, ನಿಗದಿತ ಶುದ್ಧ ಪ್ರಮಾಣದಲ್ಲಿ—ಪಂಚಮ ಭಾಗವಾಗಿ—ಗ್ರಹಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ.
"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.
FAQs
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.