Shloka 3.64.36
गोदावरीतटे सीतान्वेषणम् — The Search for Sītā at the Godāvarī
एवं स रुषितो रामो दिधक्षन्निव चक्षुषा।।3.64.35।।ददर्श भूमौ निष्क्रान्तं राक्षसस्य पदं महत्।त्रस्ताया रामकाङ्क्षिण्याः प्रधावन्त्या इतस्ततः।।3.64.36।।राक्षसेनानुवृत्ताया मैथिल्याश्च पदान्यथ।
evaṁ sa ruṣito rāmo didhakṣann iva cakṣuṣā || 3.64.35 ||
dadarśa bhūmau niṣkrāntaṁ rākṣasasya padaṁ mahat |
trastāyā rāmākāṅkṣiṇyāḥ pradhāvantyā itas tataḥ || 3.64.36 ||
rākṣasenānuvṛttāyā maithilyāś ca padāny atha |
Thus Rāma, enraged as though he would burn with his gaze, saw upon the ground the rākṣasa’s massive tracks, and Maithilī’s footprints—frightened, running here and there, pursued while yearning for him.
While Rama was angry with his eyes burning, he saw on the ground as he advanced large footprints of a demon and then the footprints of Maithili which signified as if chased by the demon, she was frightened and was running hither and thither, longing to see Rama.
Truth is pursued through careful observation: dharma-driven action is strengthened by recognizing factual signs rather than acting only from emotion.
A repeated/overlapping reading in the Southern Recension describing the discovery of the rākṣasa’s and Sītā’s footprints.
Discernment and vigilance—recognizing the reality of pursuit and danger from the tracks.