Shloka 3.58.1
सीतावियोगे रामस्य विलापः — Rama’s Lament and Inquiry on Sita’s Disappearance
स दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणं दीनं शून्ये दशरथात्मजः।पर्यपृच्छत धर्मात्मा वैदेहीमागतं विना।।।।
sa dṛṣṭvā lakṣmaṇaṃ dīnaṃ śūnye daśarathātmajaḥ | paryapṛcchata dharmātmā vaidehīm āgataṃ vinā ||
Seeing Lakṣmaṇa dejected in that empty place, the righteous son of Daśaratha questioned him, for he had returned without Vaidehī (Sītā).
Rama, son of Dasaratha, the righteous self, saw Lakshmana downcast and dejected. Seeing him without Sita, Rama enquired:
Dharma is shown as attentive leadership and care: a righteous person does not ignore signs of distress and immediately seeks truthful information when responsibility is involved.
Lakṣmaṇa returns to Rāma alone; Rāma notices his condition and questions him because Sītā is missing.
Rāma’s vigilance and moral seriousness—his identity as dharmātmā is expressed through immediate inquiry and concern.