Shloka 3.72.21
कबन्धमोक्षः—सुग्रीवमैत्र्युपदेशः (Kabandha’s Release and Counsel to Befriend Sugriva)
सन्निधायायुधं क्षिप्रमृष्यमूकालयं कपिम्।।।।कुरु राघव सत्येन वयस्यं वनचारिणम्।
sannidhāyāyudhaṃ kṣipram ṛṣyamūkālayaṃ kapim | kuru rāghava satyena vayasyaṃ vanacāriṇam ||
With your weapons made ready, quickly make that monkey—dwelling at Ṛṣyamūka and roaming the forest—your friend, O Rāghava, by truth and sincerity.
O Rama, with your weapons kept ready, go to Sugriva, king of the monkeys, a resident of Rishyamuka. He is wandering in the forest. Establish friendship with him.
Satya as the basis of relationship: righteous friendship is founded on truthful intention, even while remaining vigilant in perilous terrain.
Rāma is instructed to approach Sugrīva at Ṛṣyamūka prepared for danger, yet to establish friendship through sincerity.
Balanced conduct: readiness (self-protection) combined with truthfulness (open-hearted alliance).