Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 96, Shloka 9
चित्रकूटे सैन्यधूलिशब्ददर्शनम्
Alarm at Chitrakūṭa: Lakṣmaṇa sights the approaching army
राजा वा राजपुत्रो वा मृगयामटते वने।अन्यद्वा श्वापदं किञ्चित्सौमित्रे ज्ञातुमर्हसि।।2.96.9।।
rājā vā rāja-putro vā mṛgayām aṭate vane | anyad vā śvā-padaṃ kiñcit saumitre jñātum arhasi || 2.96.9 ||
“It may be a king or a prince roaming the forest on a hunt, or else some other fierce beast—Saumitra, you should ascertain what it is.”
O Lakshmana, the worthy son of Sumitra, fearful and tumultuous clamour like rumbling sound of clouds is heard. What a wonder! Go and see.
FAQs
Dharma is careful judgment: before reacting to danger, Rama insists on identifying whether the cause is human (hunters/royalty) or animal—promoting non-hasty, truthful assessment (satya in inquiry).
Rama instructs Lakshmana to investigate the source of the disturbance, considering multiple possibilities.
Responsible caution and commitment to factual clarity.