Shloka 3.61.15
सीतान्वेषणारम्भः — The Search for Sita Begins
प्रियकाननसञ्चारा वनोन्मत्ता च मैथिली।सा वनं वा प्रविष्टा स्यान्नलिनीं वा सुपुष्पिताम्।।।।
mā viṣādaṁ mahābāho kuru yatnaṁ mayā saha |
idaṁ ca hi vanaṁ śūra bahukandaraśobhitam ||3.61.14||
Do not yield to sorrow, O mighty-armed one; strive together with me. This forest indeed, O hero, is adorned with many caves.
Sita is madly in love with the forest. She might have entered deep into the jungle or into a fully blossomed lotus-pond.
Dharma is disciplined action over despair: grief must be mastered so that one can pursue the rightful task—searching and protecting—especially in crisis.
Lakṣmaṇa urges Rāma to stop sinking into sorrow and to search systematically, noting the forest’s many cave-like hiding places.
Steadfastness and leadership-in-support—Lakṣmaṇa strengthens Rāma with clear, action-oriented counsel.