Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 95, Shloka 11
मन्दाकिनीनदीदर्शनम्
The Vision of the Mandākinī at Citrakūṭa
तांश्चातिवल्गुवचसो रथाङ्गाह्वयना द्विजाः।अधिरोहन्ति कल्याणि निष्कूजन्त श्शुभा गिरः।।।।
tāṃś cātivalguvacasō rathāṅgāhvayanā dvijāḥ | adhirōhanti kalyāṇi niṣkūjantaḥ śśubhā giraḥ ||
हे कल्याणी सीते! ‘रथाङ्ग’ नावाचे मधुरस्वर द्विजपक्षी त्या पुष्पसंचयांवर उतरतात आणि शुभ, मनोहर स्वरांनी कूजन करतात।
My lovely Sita, I consider watching this mount Chitrakuta and river Mandakini in your presence more delightful than living in Ayodhya.
FAQs
Dharma is steadiness in adversity: Rāma models contentment in exile by finding wholesome joy in nature rather than lamenting loss.
Rāma points out the beauty around Citrakūṭa/Mandākinī to Sītā, drawing her attention to birds and flower-heaps as they move about the area.
Rāma’s resilience and uplifting leadership—he comforts Sītā by reframing exile as a life of simplicity and beauty.