Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 37, Shloka 9
अयोध्याकाण्डे सर्गः ३७ — चीरधारणं, सीतासंकल्पः, वसिष्ठोपदेशः
Bark-Robe Episode and Vasistha’s Admonition
अथाऽत्मपरिधानार्थं सीता कौशेयवासिनी।समीक्ष्य चीरं सन्त्रस्ता पृषती वागुरामिव।।2.37.9।।
athātmaparidhānārthaṃ sītā kauśeyavāsinī | samīkṣya cīraṃ santrastā pṛṣatī vāgurām iva || 2.37.9 ||
अथ कौशेयवासिनी सीता आत्मपरिधानार्थं चीरं समीक्ष्य सन्त्रस्ता, वागुरामिव पृषती प्रतिचक्राम।
Then Sita in silk clothes glanced at the bark robes meant for her to wear and was frightened like a doe seeing a (fowler's) snare.
FAQs
Dharma here highlights the human cost of righteous decisions: even when exile is accepted for truth and duty, it can still cause fear and vulnerability in loved ones.
Sītā is confronted with the immediate, tangible symbol of exile—bark clothing—prompting an instinctive shock.
Sensitivity and realism: the verse portrays Sītā’s natural fear, setting the stage for her later courage and resolve.