Shloka 3.54.3
सीताहरणोत्तरं लङ्काप्रवेशः — Sita’s Abduction and Ravana’s Entry into Lanka
वस्त्रमुत्सृज्य तन्मध्ये निक्षिप्तं सहभूषणम्।।।।सम्भ्रमात्तु दशग्रीवस्तत्कर्म न स बुद्धवान्।
piṅgākṣās tāṃ viśālākṣīṃ netrair animiṣair iva |
vikrośantīṃ tathā sītāṃ dadṛśur vānararṣabhāḥ ||
The foremost of the monkeys, tawny-eyed, beheld Sītā—wide-eyed and crying out in distress—and stared as though unblinking.
In his excitement Ravana failed to notice when Sita dropped down that garment along with ornaments in their midst.
Dharma includes compassionate witnessing—recognizing suffering truthfully and allowing it to call forth rightful action rather than indifference.
As Sītā is carried away crying, monkey-chiefs see her and remain fixed on her in stunned attention.
The vānaras’ alertness and empathy—an awakened readiness that later supports dharmic intervention.