Shloka 3.61.17
सीतान्वेषणारम्भः — The Search for Sita Begins
वित्रासयितुकामा वा लीना स्यात्कानने क्वचित्।जिज्ञासमाना वैदेही त्वां मां च पुरुषर्षभ।।।।तस्याह्यन्वेषणे श्रीमन् क्षिप्रमेव यतावहे।
saritaṁ vāpi samprāptā mīnavañjula-sevitām |
snātukāmā nilīnā syād dhāsakāmā vane kvacit ||3.61.16||
Or she may have reached a river where fish and reeds abound, and, wishing to bathe, has hidden herself; or, in playful jest, she may be concealing herself somewhere in the forest.
O best of men, maybe Vaidehi has hidden in the forest intending to scare you and me. She wishes to test our love. O blessed Rama! let us ransack the forest immediately.
Dharma is maintaining balance of mind (sattva) during uncertainty: Lakṣmaṇa counters fear with reasonable possibilities so that action remains measured and truthful.
Lakṣmaṇa proposes everyday, non-threatening reasons for Sītā’s absence—bathing in a river or hiding playfully—so the search proceeds without collapse into despair.
Emotional steadiness and supportive companionship—Lakṣmaṇa protects Rāma’s resolve by easing his agitation.