Shloka 3.61.24
सीतान्वेषणारम्भः — The Search for Sita Begins
प्राप्स्यसि त्वं महाप्राज्ञ मैथिलीं जनकात्मजाम्।।।।यथा विष्णुर्महाबाहुर्बलिं बद्ध्वा महीमिमाम्।
prāpsyasi tvaṃ mahāprājña maithilīṃ janakātmajām |
yathā viṣṇur mahābāhur baliṃ baddhvā mahīm imām ||
“O greatly wise one, you will regain Maithilī, Janaka’s daughter—just as mighty-armed Viṣṇu won this earth after binding Bali.”
O long-armed brother! O wise sire ! just as Visnu obtained the earth by binding Bali you will obtain Sita certainly.
Dharma is upheld through confidence in righteous restoration: Lakshmana affirms that right action and steadfast truth will culminate in recovering Sītā, paralleling a cosmic model of just order.
Lakshmana consoles Rama by invoking an analogy: as Viṣṇu subdued Bali and secured the earth, so Rama will recover Sītā.
Encouraging resolve—Lakshmana’s ability to inspire Rama with dharmic precedent and hope.