Shloka 3.64.48
गोदावरीतटे सीतान्वेषणम् — The Search for Sītā at the Godāvarī
रथाक्षमात्रा विशिखास्तपनीयविभूषणाः।कस्येमेऽभिहता बाणाः प्रकीर्णा घोरकर्मणः।।।।
rathākṣamātrā viśikhās tapanīyavibhūṣaṇāḥ | kasyeme 'bhihatā bāṇāḥ prakīrṇā ghorakarmaṇaḥ ||
Whose arrows are these—shafted like a chariot-axle, adorned with gleaming gold—now smashed and scattered? Who is the dread-doer behind such a deed?
Whose are these pointless arrows of the size of a chariot axle adorned with bright gold destroyed and scattered ? Who is he that has performed such terrible deeds?
Dharma requires discernment: before judging, one must examine signs and infer responsibly. Rāma models truth-seeking rather than rash accusation.
Rāma notices unusually massive, gold-adorned arrows lying broken and scattered—evidence of a fierce battle connected to Sītā’s disappearance.
Prudence and investigative clarity (viveka) under emotional strain.