Shloka 3.49.34
सीताहरणम् — Ravana reveals his true form and abducts Sita
यानि कानि चिदप्यत्र सत्त्वानि निवसन्त्युत।।3.49.34।।सर्वाणि शरणं यामि मृगपक्षिगणानपि।
yāni kāni cid apy atra sattvāni nivasanty uta || 3.49.34 || sarvāṇi śaraṇaṁ yāmi mṛga-pakṣi-gaṇān api |
Whatever living beings dwell here—indeed all of them—I seek as refuge, even the herds of animals and the flocks of birds.
I seek refuge in all those living beings as well as herds of animals and birds in the forest.
Dharma recognizes a moral universe where even non-human beings can serve as witnesses to truth and allies against adharma.
In desperation during the abduction, Sītā calls upon all forest creatures—animals and birds—as refuge and implicit witnesses.
Humility and trust in moral order: Sītā seeks help from all beings, refusing to accept wrongdoing as final.