गोदावरीतटे सीतान्वेषणम्
The Search for Sītā at the Godāvarī
क्व सितेति त्वया पृष्टा यथेमे सहसोत्थिताः।।3.64.21।।दर्शयन्ति क्षितिं चैव दक्षिणां च दिशं मृगाः।साधु गच्छावहे देव दिशमेतां हि नैऋतिम्।।3.64.22।।यदि स्यादागमः कश्चिदार्या वा साऽथ लक्ष्यते।
kva site iti tvayā pṛṣṭā yathā ime sahasotthitāḥ | darśayanti kṣitiṃ caiva dakṣiṇāṃ ca diśaṃ mṛgāḥ | sādhu gacchāvahe deva diśam etāṃ hi naiṛtim | yadi syād āgamaḥ kaścid āryā vā sā ’tha lakṣyate ||
Als du fragtest: „Wo ist Sītā?“, sprangen diese Hirsche plötzlich auf und weisen auf den Boden und nach Süden. Darum, mein Herr, lasst uns in das südwestliche Viertel gehen; vielleicht zeigt sich eine Spur, oder jene edle Frau wird gefunden.
O lord these deer are indicating the land on the southern side.Therefore it will be proper for both of us to proceed in the southwestern direction. Maybe we will get some clue or find that noble Sita.
Dharma is shown as perseverance guided by reason: even in grief, one acts methodically, seeking truthful signs and following the most fitting path.
This verse duplicates the counsel about the deer’s indication and the south‑western route (a Southern Recension presentation), reinforcing the decision to move in that direction.
Lakṣmaṇa’s reliability and clarity in counsel under pressure.