Canto 2 -
Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa
Chapter 27: Sītā Requests Rāma to Take Her to the Forest
Text 2.27.9
प्रासादाग्रैर्विमानैर्वा वैहायसगतेन वा।
सर्वावस्थागता भर्तुः पादच्छाया विशिष्यते॥
prāsādāgrair vimānair vā vaihāyasa-gatena vā
sarvāvasthā-gatā bhartuḥ pāda-cchāyā viśiṣyate
prāsāda-agraiḥ = than the best of palaces; vimānaiḥ vā = airplanes; vaihāyasa-gatena = the pathways of the sky; vā = or; sarva-avasthā-gatā = under all circumstances; bhartuḥ = one’s husband’s; pāda-chāyā = the shade of feet; viśiṣyate = is better.
Under all circumstances, the shade of one’s husband’s feet is better than the best of palaces, airplanes or the pathways of the sky.
1 Rāmāyaṇa-bhāva-dīpa: “chāyā pratibimbārka-yoṣitoḥ / vā vikalpo’pamānayoḥ” iti ca viśvaḥ.
Sītā has anticipated that Rāma might ask her, “Why are you going to the forest giving up residence in a palace?” Therefore, she speaks this verse.
She states that for a woman, the shade of her husband’s feet is better than the best palaces of an emperor, the best airplanes in Svarga and other celestial worlds or the pathways of the sky through which those who have accomplished the eight mystic opulences headed by aṇimā travel, under all circumstances—even in adverse circumstances.
Pāda-cchāyā (“the shade of his feet”) indicates that [woman’s] service to the feet of her [dhārmika] husband is better [than being in the opulent situations described in this verse].
GLOSS. Just as Rāma has to take the shade of His feet, similarly His wife, who is a reflection of His shade, should also [be taken] without any discrimination.1