Shloka 3.61.26
सीतान्वेषणारम्भः — The Search for Sita Begins
वनं सर्वं सुविचितं पद्मिन्यः फुल्लपङ्कजाः।।।।गिरिश्चायं महाप्राज्ञ बहुकन्दरनिर्झरः।न हि पश्यामि वैदेहीं प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसीम्।।।।
vanaṃ sarvaṃ suvicitaṃ padminyaḥ phullapaṅkajāḥ |
giriś cāyaṃ mahāprājña bahukandaranirjharaḥ |
na hi paśyāmi vaidehīṃ prāṇebhyo 'pi garīyasīm ||
“O wise Lakshmana, I have thoroughly searched the whole forest, the lotus-ponds with blooming lotuses, and this mountain with its many caves and streams; yet I do not see Vaidehī—dearer to me even than my own life.”
O wise Lakshmana! I have searched the entire forest, the ponds with fully blossomed lotuses, the mountains with many caves and streams. But could not see Vaidehi who is dearer to me than my life.
Dharma is expressed as unwavering spousal responsibility and truthfulness: Rama reports the facts of his search without self-deception, and his sense of duty is intensified by love and commitment.
Rama enumerates the places he has searched—forest, lotus-ponds, mountain terrain—yet he still cannot find Sītā.
Steadfast love and diligence—Rama’s exhaustive search and his valuation of Sītā as dearer than life.