Shloka 4.1.38
पम्पा-तीर-वर्णनम् / Rama’s Lament at Pampa and the Approach to Rishyamuka
पश्य लक्ष्मण नृत्यन्तं मयूरमुपनृत्यति।शिखिनी मन्मथार्तैषा भर्तारं गिरिसानुनि।।।।
paśya lakṣmaṇa nṛtyantaṃ mayūram upanṛtyati |
śikhinī manmathārtaiṣā bhartāraṃ giri-sānuni ||
Look, Lakṣmaṇa: on the mountain slope this peahen, love-stricken, dances close to the dancing peacock—toward her mate.
'Look at the lovelorn peahen, excited by love, dancing on the moutain slope, O Lakshmana! Engrossed in love, she dances for wooing the peacock.
The verse implicitly affirms rightful companionship and fidelity: even in animal imagery, pairing with one’s mate is presented as natural order, sharpening the injustice of Sītā’s separation.
Rāma points out a peahen courting her mate; the scene contrasts with his own loss of Sītā and intensifies his resolve to restore what is right.
Commitment to relational duty: Rāma’s attention returns to the dharmic ideal of spousehood, reinforcing his protective responsibility.