Shloka 3.61.16
सीतान्वेषणारम्भः — The Search for Sita Begins
सरितं वापि सम्प्राप्ता मीनवञ्जुलसेविताम्।स्नातुकामा निलीना स्याद्धासकामा वने क्वचित्।।।।
priyakānanasañcārā vanonmattā ca maithilī |
sā vanaṁ vā praviṣṭā syān nalinīṁ vā supuṣpitām ||3.61.15||
Maithilī, fond of roaming in beloved groves and enchanted by the forest, may have entered the woods—or perhaps a lotus-pond resplendent with blossoms.
Maybe she has gone to take a dip in the river full of reeds and fishes ! Or has hidden somewhere for the sake of fun.
Dharma here is rational, compassionate reassurance: Lakṣmaṇa offers plausible explanations to prevent unjust conclusions and to keep the search guided by calm discernment.
Lakṣmaṇa suggests Sītā may have wandered into the forest or toward a blooming lotus-pond, framing possibilities to direct the search.
Practical intelligence joined with empathy—Lakṣmaṇa steadies Rāma by offering constructive hypotheses rather than panic.