Shloka 3.61.19
सीतान्वेषणारम्भः — The Search for Sita Begins
एवमुक्तस्तु सौहार्दाल्लक्ष्मणेन समाहितः।।।।सह सौमित्रिणा रामो विचेतुमुपचक्रमे।
vanaṁ sarvaṁ vicinuvo yatra sā janakātmajā |
manyase yadi kākutstha mā sma śoke manaḥ kṛthāḥ ||3.61.18||
Let us search the entire forest, wherever Janaka’s daughter may be. If you agree, O Kākutstha, do not let your mind sink into grief.
When Lakshmana consoled him so affectionately Rama became composed. He continued the search with Lakshmana, son of Sumitra.
Dharma is self-mastery (indriya-nigraha/śoka-nirodha) in service of duty: grief must not override the righteous task of searching and protecting.
Lakṣmaṇa asks Rāma’s assent and proposes a thorough search of the forest, urging him not to be consumed by sorrow.
Composure and determination—Lakṣmaṇa models calm persistence and invites Rāma back into purposeful action.