Shloka 3.61.27
सीतान्वेषणारम्भः — The Search for Sita Begins
वनं सर्वं सुविचितं पद्मिन्यः फुल्लपङ्कजाः।।3.61.26।।गिरिश्चायं महाप्राज्ञ बहुकन्दरनिर्झरः।न हि पश्यामि वैदेहीं प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसीम्।।3.61.27।।
vanaṃ sarvaṃ suvicitaṃ padminyaḥ phullapaṅkajāḥ |
giriś cāyaṃ mahāprājña bahukandaranirjharaḥ |
na hi paśyāmi vaidehīṃ prāṇebhyo 'pi garīyasīm ||
This verse repeats: “O wise Lakshmana, I have searched the whole forest, the lotus-ponds with blooming lotuses, and this mountain of many caves and streams; yet I do not see Vaidehī—dearer to me than life itself.”
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.
Even in repeated/variant transmission, the dharmic emphasis remains: committed duty in relationships and truthful reporting of one’s efforts amid crisis.
Rama reiterates his exhaustive search and continued failure to find Sītā; the repetition reflects heightened emotional intensity and/or recension-level duplication.
Persistence under suffering—continuing the search despite despair.