Shloka 3.60.26
सीतान्वेषणविलापः (Rama’s Lament and Search for Sita)
किं धावसि प्रिये दूरे दृष्टासि कमलेक्षणे।वृक्षैराच्छाद्य चात्मानं किं मां न प्रतिभाषसे।।3.60.26।।
kiṁ dhāvasi priye dūre dṛṣṭāsi kamalekṣaṇe | vṛkṣair ācchādya cātmānaṁ kiṁ māṁ na pratibhāṣase || 3.60.26 ||
Why do you run far away, my dear lotus-eyed one? I have seen you. Why do you hide yourself behind the trees and not answer me?
O lotus- eyed darling, why are you running away? I have already seen you. Why are you hiding behind trees and not replying to me?
Dharma here is the sanctity of marital bond—Rāma’s mind clings to Sītā as the rightful partner, showing that loyalty persists even when circumstances distort perception.
Overwhelmed by separation, Rāma momentarily imagines Sītā nearby and speaks to her as though she is hiding among the trees.
Deep affection and constancy: his love does not turn into anger at her; it becomes pleading and yearning.