Shloka 3.64.12
गोदावरीतटे सीतान्वेषणम् — The Search for Sītā at the Godāvarī
या मे राज्यविहीनस्य वने वन्येन जीवतः।।।।सर्वं व्यपनयेच्छोकं वैदेही क्व नु सा गता।
yā me rājyavihīnasya vane vanyena jīvataḥ | sarvaṃ vyapanayec chokaṃ vaidehī kva nu sā gatā ||
“Where has that Vaidehi gone—she who used to dispel all my sorrow when I was stripped of my kingdom and living in the forest on wild fare?”
Where could have gone that Vaidehi, who removed all my sorrows and sufferings when I lost my kingdom and survived on food available in the forest?
Dharma is mutual support within righteous household life: Sītā’s presence strengthens Rāma’s capacity to endure exile without deviating from duty.
Rāma, remembering Sītā’s consoling companionship in exile, grieves her sudden absence and searches for her.
Gratitude and steadfast love—Rāma acknowledges Sītā’s sustaining role during hardship.