Shloka 3.64.41
गोदावरीतटे सीतान्वेषणम् — The Search for Sītā at the Godāvarī
मन्ये लक्ष्मण वैदेही राक्षसैः कामरूपिभिः।भित्वाभित्वा विभक्ता वा भक्षिता वा भविष्यति।।।।
manye lakṣmaṇa vaidēhī rākṣasaiḥ kāmarūpibhiḥ | bhitvābhitvā vibhaktā vā bhakṣitā vā bhaviṣyati || 3.64.41 ||
I fear, Lakṣmaṇa, that Vaidehī has been torn apart by rākṣasas who assume forms at will—cut and cut again, divided into portions, or even devoured.
O Lakshmana, Vaidehi might have been cut into pieces, and eaten up by the demons who can assume any form at their free will.
Dharma is tested under anguish: even righteous persons experience fear and grief, yet their duty remains to seek truth and act to prevent adharma.
Interpreting the violent signs, Rāma voices dreadful possibilities about what rākṣasas might have done to Sītā.
Human vulnerability alongside resolve: Rāma’s candid fear highlights the depth of his love and the seriousness of his protective duty.