Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 4, Shloka 23
अयोध्याकाण्डे चतुर्थः सर्गः
Rāma Summoned; Pushya Coronation Decision
तस्मात्त्वयाऽद्य प्रभृति निशेयं नियतात्मना।सह वध्वोपवस्तव्या दर्भप्रस्तरशायिना।।2.4.23।।
tasmāt tvayā ’dya prabhṛti niśeyaṃ niyatātmanā | saha vadhvopavastavyā darbhaprastaraśāyinā || 2.4.23 ||
எனவே இன்றிரவு முதலே தன்னடக்கத்துடன்—மனைவியுடன் சேர்ந்து—உபவாசம் இருந்து, தர்பை (குச்சை) பரப்பிய படுக்கையில் உறங்க வேண்டும்।
Therefore, you and my daughter-in-law (Sita) should fast tonight and sleep on a bed of darbha or kusha grass with self-restraint.
FAQs
Dharma is supported by self-discipline and ritual purity: leadership is approached through restraint, not indulgence.
Preparations for the consecration begin; Daśaratha directs Rāma (and Sītā) to observe vows customary before a royal rite.
Rāma’s (and Sītā’s) tapas-like self-control—readiness to undertake austerity for a public duty.