Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 37, Shloka 18
अयोध्याकाण्डे सर्गः ३७ — चीरधारणं, सीतासंकल्पः, वसिष्ठोपदेशः
Bark-Robe Episode and Vasistha’s Admonition
लक्ष्मणेन सहायेन वनं गच्छस्व पुत्रक।नेयमर्हति कल्याणी वस्तुं तापसवद्वने।।2.37.18।।
lakṣmaṇena sahāyena vanaṁ gacchasva putraka | naiyam arhati kalyāṇī vastuṁ tāpasavad vane || 2.37.18 ||
“Wahai anakku, pergilah ke rimba bersama Lakshmana sebagai sahabat; namun Sita yang membawa keberkatan ini tidak layak tinggal di hutan seperti seorang pertapa.”
Do accede to our prayer. Let lovely Sita stay with us as you, O son! faithful to yourduty, will not like to remain here.
FAQs
Dharma includes protective responsibility: the women distinguish Rama’s duty-bound exile from Sita’s welfare, urging that compassion should limit suffering.
The women propose that Rama go with Lakshmana, but request that Sita remain in the palace rather than endure ascetic hardship.
Rakṣā-bhāva (protective concern) toward Sita and practical wisdom about the hardships of forest asceticism.