Shloka 3.40.21
मारीचोपदेश-प्रतिषेधः / Ravana Rejects Maricha’s Counsel and Orders the Golden Deer Deception
तच्छ्रुत्वा रामपदवीं सीतया च प्रचोदितः।अनुगच्छति सम्भ्रान्तः सौमित्रिरपि सौहृदात्।।3.40.21।।
tac chrutvā rāmapadavīṃ sītayā ca pracoditaḥ | anugacchati sambhrāntaḥ saumitrir api sauhṛdāt || 3.40.21 ||
Hearing that cry, and urged on by Sītā, Saumitrī too—alarmed and out of affection—will follow the path taken by Rāma.
On hearing you, Lakshmana will be bewildered. Urged by Sita and out of love for Rama, Lakshmana will follow the same track as Rama.
The verse shows how dharma can be tested by conflicting duties—Lakṣmaṇa’s duty to guard Sītā is strained by loyalty to Rāma and Sītā’s urgent command.
Rāvaṇa explains that Mārīca’s imitation will alarm Sītā; she will press Lakṣmaṇa to go after Rāma, leaving her unguarded.
Lakṣmaṇa’s fraternal loyalty (sauhṛda/bhrātṛ-bhakti) is emphasized—he is portrayed as acting from love, even when it creates vulnerability.