Shloka 3.57.10
मारीचवधोत्तरं रामस्य शङ्का-निमित्त-दर्शनं लक्ष्मण-निग्रहश्च (After Maricha’s Slaying: Omens, Anxiety, and Rama’s Rebuke of Lakshmana)
इत्येवं चिन्तयन्रामश्श्रुत्वा गोमायुनिस्स्वनम्।।।।आत्मनश्चापनयनान्मृगरूपेण रक्षसा।आजगाम जनस्थानं राघवः परिशङ्कितः।।।।
ity evaṃ cintayan rāmaḥ śrutvā gomāyunisvanam |
ātmanaś cāpanayanān mṛgarūpeṇa rakṣasā |
ājagāma janasthānaṃ rāghavaḥ pariśaṅkitaḥ ||
Thus pondering, and hearing the howl of a jackal, Rāghava grew alarmed, knowing that a rākṣasa in the guise of a deer had drawn him away; and he returned to Janasthāna, anxious and suspicious.
On hearing the jackal's howl, Rama began thinking how the demon in the form of a deer drew him away. Thus in the midst of apprehensions he reached Janasthana.
Dharma includes vigilant responsibility: sensing danger, one must promptly return to protect those under one’s care.
After killing Marīca, Rāma hears an ominous jackal cry and fears Sītā may be in danger because he was lured away; he hastens back to Janasthāna.
Protective concern and alertness: Rāma’s mind turns immediately to possible harm and he acts quickly.