Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 37, Shloka 19
अयोध्याकाण्डे सर्गः ३७ — चीरधारणं, सीतासंकल्पः, वसिष्ठोपदेशः
Bark-Robe Episode and Vasistha’s Admonition
कुरु नो याचनां पुत्र सीता तिष्ठतु भामिनी।धर्मनित्यस्स्वयं स्थातुं न हीदानीं त्वमिच्छसि।।2.37.19।।
kuru no yācanāṁ putra sītā tiṣṭhatu bhāminī | dharmanityaḥ svayaṁ sthātuṁ na hīdānīṁ tvam icchasi || 2.37.19 ||
“Perkenankanlah permohonan kami, wahai anak: biarlah Sita yang jelita tinggal di sini. Engkau yang teguh dalam dharma, kini tidaklah ingin tinggal demi kepentingan dirimu sendiri.”
O king! giving up pleasures and attachments altogether I am going to live on whatever is available in the forest. What is the use of followers?
FAQs
The verse contrasts personal desire with duty: Rama’s dharma-driven resolve is acknowledged, while the women appeal to a compassionate arrangement that spares Sita.
The women beg Rama to accept exile alone (with Lakshmana) and allow Sita to remain safely in the palace.
Rama’s dharma-niṣṭhā (steadfastness in duty), highlighted even by those pleading against Sita’s departure.