Shloka 24
चित्रकूटमार्गोपदेशः
Instructions for the Chitrakuta Route and the Yamuna Crossing
न्यग्रोधं तमुपागम्य वैदेही वाक्यमब्रवीत्।नमस्तेऽस्तु महावृक्ष पारयेन्मे पतिर्व्रतम्।।।।कौशल्यां चैव पश्येयं सुमित्रां च यशश्विनीम्।इति सीताऽञ्जलिं कृत्वा पर्यगच्छद्वनस्पतिम्।।।।
nyagrodhaṃ tam upāgamya vaidehī vākyam abravīt | namas te 'stu mahāvṛkṣa pārayen me patir vratam ||
kauśalyāṃ caiva paśyeyaṃ sumitrāṃ ca yaśasvinīm | iti sītā añjaliṃ kṛtvā paryagacchad vanaspatim ||
Mendekati beringin itu, Vaidehī berkata: “Sembah sujud kepadamu, wahai pohon agung. Semoga nazar suamiku terlaksana; semoga aku dapat melihat lagi Kausalyā dan Sumitrā yang termasyhur.” Demikian Sītā, dengan tangan dirapatkan, mengelilingi pohon mulia itu dengan hormat.
Having crossed the river, they left the float and proceeded from the adjoining forest of Yamuna and reached the dark, cool banyan tree covered with lush green leaves.
FAQs
Dharma is fidelity to vows and reverence to sacred life: Sītā’s prayer centers on the truthful completion of Rāma’s vow and respectful remembrance of family elders.
After the Yamunā crossing, Sītā reaches a banyan tree, offers salutations, prays for the fulfilment of vows and reunion with elders, and circumambulates the tree.
Devotion and constancy (niṣṭhā), expressed through prayer, respect, and hope grounded in dharmic return.