Shloka 3.52.39
सीताहरण-विलापः / The Lament at Jatāyu and the Abduction of Sītā
नास्ति धर्मः कुतस्सत्यं नार्जवं नानृशंसता।यत्र रामस्य वैदेहीं भार्यां हरति रावणः।।।।इति सर्वाणि भूतानि गणशः पर्यदेवयन्।
trāhi mām adya kākutstha lakṣmaṇeti varāṅganā |
susantrastā samākrandac chṛṇvatāṃ tu yathāntike ||
Terribly frightened, the noble lady cried out in anguish, “Save me today—O Kākutstha! O Lakṣmaṇa!” as though they were nearby and could hear her.
When Rama's consort, the princess of Videha, is being carried away by Ravana, how can there be rightousness or truth or uprightness or compassion for men? Thus bewailed all beings in groups.
Dharma here is the rightful duty of protection: Sītā appeals to the guardianship expected of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, underscoring the moral obligation to protect those in danger.
As Rāvaṇa seizes her, Sītā cries out for Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, imagining them close enough to hear.
Sītā’s steadfast trust and moral clarity—she instinctively turns to righteous protectors and names them, even amid terror.