Shloka 3.58.11
सीतावियोगे रामस्य विलापः — Rama’s Lament and Inquiry on Sita’s Disappearance
ब्रूहि लक्ष्मण वैदेही यदि जीवति वा न वा।त्वयि प्रमत्ते रक्षोभिर्भक्षिता वा तपस्विनी।।।।
brūhi lakṣmaṇa vaidehī yadi jīvati vā na vā | tvayi pramatte rakṣobhir bhakṣitā vā tapasvinī ||
Tell me, Lakṣmaṇa—does Vaidehī live, or does she not? While you were heedless, was that ascetic lady devoured by the rākṣasas?
Tell me, O Lakshmana ! if Sita is alive or not, whether she was eaten up by demons when you were off your guard.
Dharma requires accountability and truth: Rāma urgently seeks a factual answer (satya) about Sītā and questions whether negligence in protection has led to harm.
Sītā is missing; Rāma confronts Lakṣmaṇa, demanding to know if she is alive and fearing rākṣasa violence.
Commitment to truth and responsibility—Rāma insists on clarity, and the verse underscores the gravity of Lakṣmaṇa’s protective duty.