Shloka 3.45.22
सीतया लक्ष्मणप्रेषणम् — Sita urges Lakshmana to seek Rama (The crisis of the ‘distressed voice’)
रामस्य व्यसनं दृष्ट्वा तेनैतानि प्रभाषसे।।3.45.22।।नैतच्चित्रं सपत्नेषु पापं लक्ष्मण यद्भवेत्।त्वद्विधेषु नृशंसेषु नित्यं प्रच्छन्नचारिषु।।3.45.23।।
rāmasya vyasanaṃ dṛṣṭvā tenaitāni prabhāṣase || 3.45.22 ||
na etac citraṃ sapatneṣu pāpaṃ lakṣmaṇa yad bhavet |
tvadvidheṣu nṛśaṃseṣu nityaṃ pracchannacāriṣu || 3.45.23 ||
Seeing Rāma’s misfortune, is that why you speak these words? It is no wonder, Lakṣmaṇa, if sin arises among rivals—especially in cruel men like you who always move about in concealment.
O Lakshmana,do you speak such words seeing the disaster of Rama? No wonder that cruel men who always move like you in disguise will thus resort to sinful action against rivals.
It serves as a negative example: when fear dominates, one may abandon satya (truthfulness) and commit verbal injustice—Dharma requires restraint and evidence before accusation.
Sītā, distressed about Rāma, intensifies her rebuke and imputes hidden, rival-like motives to Lakṣmaṇa.
The episode foregrounds Lakṣmaṇa’s endurance and self-control, since he receives severe blame while remaining committed to duty.