Shloka 3.45.8
सीतया लक्ष्मणप्रेषणम् — Sita urges Lakshmana to seek Rama (The crisis of the ‘distressed voice’)
किं हि संशयमापन्ने तस्मिन्निह मया भवेत्।।3.45.8।। कर्तव्यमिह तिष्ठन्त्या यत्प्रधानस्त्वमागतः।
kiṃ hi saṃśayam āpanne tasminniha mayā bhavet | kartavyam iha tiṣṭhantyā yatpradhānas tvam āgataḥ ||
When he—on whose account you chiefly came here—has fallen into peril, what possible use is there in your staying here with me? What duty can I accomplish by remaining here, when your foremost obligation is to him?
When he for whose service you have primary come here, has met with difficulty, what is the use of your being here? What purpose you serve by staying here with me ?
In a moral crisis, one should prioritize the primary duty (pradhāna-dharma): Lakṣmaṇa’s foremost obligation is to protect and assist Rāma, even if it means leaving Sītā temporarily.
After hearing Rāma’s distressing cry (caused by Mārīca’s deception), Sītā presses Lakṣmaṇa to go to Rāma at once, arguing that Lakṣmaṇa’s presence with her is pointless if Rāma is in danger.