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सीतानिवर्तनप्रयत्नः
Rama’s Attempt to Dissuade Sita from Forest Exile
सान्त्वयित्वा पुनस्तां तु बाष्पदूषितलोचनाम्।निवर्तनार्थे धर्मात्मा वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह।।2.28.2।।
sāntvayitvā punas tāṃ tu bāṣpa-dūṣita-locanām |
nivartanārthe dharmātmā vākyam etad uvāca ha ||2.28.2||
Pocieszywszy Sītā, której oczy były zachmurzone łzami, Rāma o szlachetnej duszy ponownie wypowiedział te słowa, zamierzając odwieść ją od podążania za nim do lasu.
One has to worship gods and ancestors according to tradition and extend hospitality to guests, (who arrive unexpectedly).
Dharma is expressed as compassionate responsibility: Rāma’s righteousness includes protecting Sītā from foreseeable suffering, even while he himself accepts hardship for duty.
Sītā insists on accompanying Rāma to exile; Rāma, after consoling her, resumes his attempt to dissuade her by describing the forest’s rigors.
Rāma’s compassion and moral steadiness (dharmātmatā): he speaks gently yet firmly, guided by duty and concern.
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