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 ||
Rāghava tidak memakan daging dan tidak pula meminum arak; baginda sentiasa menjamah makanan hutan sahaja, tetap dan teratur menurut sukatan yang ditetapkan, sebagai laku tapa.
"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.