Shloka 3.64.30
गोदावरीतटे सीतान्वेषणम् — The Search for Sītā at the Godāvarī
क्रुद्धोऽब्रवीद्गिरिं तत्र सिंहः क्षुद्रमृगं यथा।।।।तां हेमवर्णां हेमाभां सीतां दर्शय पर्वत।यावत्सानूनि सर्वाणि न ते विध्वंसयाम्यहम्।।।।
kruddho ’bravīd giriṁ tatra siṁhaḥ kṣudramṛgaṁ yathā |
tāṁ hemavarṇāṁ hemābhāṁ sītāṁ darśaya parvata |
yāvat sānūni sarvāṇi na te vidhvaṁsayāmy aham ||
Angry, Rāma spoke to the mountain like a lion confronting a petty beast: “Show me Sītā—golden in hue and radiant like gold—or I will shatter all your slopes.”
Like a lion aiming at a petty animal, angry Rama said, O Mountain before I destroy all your slopes show me that golden-hued Sita with lustre like gold.
The verse warns about anger’s ethical danger: even a righteous goal (recovering Sītā) can be clouded by wrath and threats; dharma requires self-mastery alongside justice.
In desperation after Sītā’s abduction, Rāma threatens the mountain, demanding it reveal Sītā.
Protective resolve—Rāma’s fierce commitment to rescue Sītā—though the scene also highlights the need to discipline anger.