Shloka 3.61.13
सीतान्वेषणारम्भः — The Search for Sita Begins
अनासादयमानं तं सीतां दशरथात्मजम्।।3.61.12।।पङ्कमासाद्य विपुलं सीदन्तमिव कुञ्जरम्।लक्ष्मणो राममत्यर्थमुवाच हितकाम्यया।।3.61.13।।
adṛṣṭvā tatra vaidehīṁ sannirīkṣya ca sarvaśaḥ |
uvāca rāmaḥ prākruśya pragṛhya rucirau bhujau ||3.61.2||
Not seeing Vaidehī there, and scanning in every direction, Rāma cried aloud and spoke, lifting up his handsome arms.
Lakshmana, dedicated to his wellbeing, spoke to Rama, son of Dasaratha, who was sinking like an elephant into the quagmire, when he failed to trace Sita.
Dharma here is expressed as steadfast responsibility: Rāma does not ignore disorder and absence, but urgently responds and seeks what is rightfully to be protected—Sītā—showing duty even amid shock.
Rāma realizes Sītā is not present, searches the area in all directions, and cries out as the crisis of her disappearance becomes clear.
Protective commitment and urgency—Rāma’s immediate, wholehearted response reflects devotion and accountability toward those under his care.