Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 4, Shloka 12
समुद्रतट-प्रयाणम् तथा वेलावन-निवेशः
March to the Seacoast and Encampment at the Shore
निम्नेषु वनदुर्गेषु वनेषु च वनौकसः ।अभिप्लुत्याभिपश्येयुः परेषां निहितं बलम् ।।।।
nimneṣu vanadurgeṣu vaneṣu ca vanaukasaḥ |
abhiplutyābhipaśyeyuḥ pareṣāṃ nihitaṃ balam ||
"O forest-dwellers, search even in low-lying places, in hard-to-reach forest strongholds, and in the woods; leaping up, you should also look beyond what is ordinarily visible for the enemy’s concealed forces."
"O Vanaras! You should even look for (the rakshasas) in the low lying lands, in inaccessible water sources, in forests and also beyond sight leaping up to the sky".
FAQs
Dharma in warfare includes protection of one’s people through vigilance and due diligence—seeking truth about hidden threats before engaging, rather than acting carelessly.
Commanders instruct the vanaras to conduct thorough reconnaissance, searching difficult terrain and even scanning beyond ordinary sight for concealed enemy troops.
Alertness and disciplined obedience—systematic searching and coordinated action in service of the righteous campaign.