Shloka 3.2.16
Virādha-saṃvādaḥ — Encounter with Virādha in the Daṇḍakāraṇya (Aranya Kanda, Sarga 2)
सीता प्रवेपतोद्वेगात् प्रावाते कदली यथा।।3.2.15।।तां दृष्ट्वा राघवः सीतां विराधाङ्कगतां शुभाम्।अब्रवील्लक्ष्मणं वाक्यं मुखेन परिशुष्यता।।3.2.16।।
tāṃ dṛṣṭvā rāghavaḥ sītāṃ virādhāṅkagatāṃ śubhām |
abravīl lakṣmaṇaṃ vākyaṃ mukhena pariśuṣyatā ||3.2.16||
Seeing the auspicious Sītā seated in Virādha’s lap, Rāghava—his face parched with shock—spoke these words to Lakṣmaṇa.
Seeing the auspicious Sita in the lap of Viradha shaken out of anxiety, like a plantain tree in a strong wind, Rama with his throat parched said to Lakshmana:
The kingly and marital duty to protect the innocent—especially one’s spouse—appears as an immediate moral imperative; Rama’s distress underscores responsibility rather than indifference.
Virādha has seized Sītā; Rama sees her in the demon’s lap and, shaken, turns to Lakṣmaṇa to respond.
Rāma’s protective commitment and moral sensitivity: he reacts intensely to Sītā’s dishonor and danger, showing steadfast guardianship.