Shloka 3.61.29
सीतान्वेषणारम्भः — The Search for Sita Begins
सन्तप्तो ह्यवसन्नाङ्गो गतबुद्धिर्विचेतनः।निषसादातुरो दीनो निश्श्वस्याशीतमायतम्।।।।
santapto hy avasannāṅgo gatabuddhir vicetanaḥ |
niṣasādāturo dīno niśśvasyāśītam āyatam ||
Scorched by anguish—his limbs weakened, his mind failing, his senses unsteady—he sank down, distressed and dejected, breathing long, burning sighs.
By grief tormented, limbs enervated, intellect atrophied, senses switched off, he felt anxious and depressed and sighed long and hot.
The text invites compassionate ethics: recognizing the bodily and mental impact of loss supports dharma as empathy toward sufferers, not mere judgment.
Rama’s grief intensifies; he collapses into a seated posture, overwhelmed and sighing repeatedly.
Depth of attachment and sincerity—his reactions demonstrate the magnitude of his love and the seriousness with which he holds his duty toward Sītā.