Shloka 2.93.23
चित्रकूटमार्गवर्णनम् — Bharata’s Army Reaches Chitrakuta and Searches for Rama
अथ नाऽत्र नरव्याघ्रौ राजपुत्रौ परन्तपौ। अन्ये रामोपमा स्सन्ति व्यक्तमत्र तपस्विनः।।2.93.23।।
atha nātra naravyāghrau rājaputrau parantapau | anye rāmopamāḥ santi vyaktam atra tapasvinaḥ ||2.93.23||
Otherwise, if the two princes—tiger-like men, subduers of foes—are not here, then it is evident that other ascetics, resembling Rāma, dwell in this place.
In case the two princes, Rama and Lakshmana, the best of men, and subduers ofenemies are not residing here then evidently it must be some other ascetics like Rama.
Dharma aligned with Satya includes intellectual honesty: they acknowledge an alternative explanation and do not overstate certainty beyond the evidence.
The scouts qualify their inference: if Rama and Lakshmana are not present, the smoke could belong to other ascetics living there.
Truthfulness with humility—careful speech that avoids exaggeration and shows respect toward ascetics.