Shloka 3.63.14
सीतावियोगे रामविलापः — Rama’s Lament in Separation from Sita
पद्मानना पद्मविशालनेत्रा पद्मानि वानेतुमभिप्रयाता।तदप्ययुक्तं न हि सा कदाचिन्मया विना गच्छति पङ्कजानि।।।।
padmānanā padmaviśālanetrā padmāni vā netum abhiprayātā |
tad apy ayuktaṁ na hi sā kadācin mayā vinā gacchati paṅkajāni ||
Could that lotus-faced, lotus-eyed lady have gone to gather lotuses? Even that is not fitting, for she never goes for pankaja lotuses without me.
The lady whose face was like the lotus, whose large eyes were like lotus petals could have gone to fetch lotuses! (but) that also is not possible as she has never gone there without me.
It points to consistency of conduct (ācāra) as a guide to truth: Rama uses Sita’s habitual righteousness and carefulness to judge what is plausible.
Rama explores another possibility—that Sita went to pick lotuses—then dismisses it based on her usual behavior.
Sita’s modest caution and Rama’s attentive knowledge of her character.