Shloka 3.64.26
गोदावरीतटे सीतान्वेषणम् — The Search for Sītā at the Godāvarī
अभिजानामि पुष्पाणि तानीमानीह लक्ष्मण।।।।पिनद्धानि हि वैदेह्या मया दत्तानि कानने।
abhijānāmi puṣpāṇi tān imānīha lakṣmaṇa | pinaddhāni hi vaidehyā mayā dattāni kānane ||
“Lakṣmaṇa, I recognize these very flowers here—Vaidehī wore them, for I myself gave them to her in this forest.”
O Lakshmana, here are the same flowers I had given Vaidehi to wear in the forest. I can recognize them.
Dharma is fidelity and truthfulness in relationships: Rāma’s recognition of Sītā’s adornment reflects unwavering commitment and a truthful reading of evidence in the search.
Rāma identifies the fallen flowers as those he had given Sītā, confirming that the trail is connected to her and strengthening the direction of their pursuit.
Rāma’s loyal love and clarity of recollection—turning personal memory into purposeful investigation.