Shloka 4.3.7
हनूमत्संवादः / Hanuman’s Diplomatic Approach to Rama and Lakshmana
पम्पातीररुहान्वृक्षान् वीक्षमाणौ समन्ततः।इमां नदीं शुभजलां शोभयन्तौ तपस्विनौ।।धैर्यवन्तौ सुवर्णाभौ कौ युवां चीरवाससौ।निःश्वसन्तौ वरभुजौ पीडयन्ताविमाः प्रजा:।।
pampātīraruhān vṛkṣān vīkṣamāṇau samantataḥ |
imāṃ nadīṃ śubhajalāṃ śobhayantau tapasvinau ||
dhairyavantau suvarṇābhau kau yuvāṃ cīravāsasau |
niḥśvasantau varabhujau pīḍayantāv imāḥ prajāḥ ||
As you look all around at the trees rising on Pampa’s bank, you two ascetics seem to adorn this river of auspicious waters. Who are you—young yet steadfast, golden-hued, clad in garments of bark—broad-shouldered, breathing deep sighs, and yet unsettling the beings here?
'Gazing at the trees on the bank of Pampa, you both appear in brilliant complexion as if to enhance the beauty of the auspicious river water. Though young, courageous and with handsome shoulders, you seem to sigh in exhaustion. And though you look like ascetics robed in bark, you seem to terrify these creatures.
Dharma balances appearance with reality: one must inquire into true intent (satya) even when someone looks ascetic or noble, for actions affect other beings.
Hanuman observes Rama and Lakshmana near Pampa—visibly powerful yet ascetic—and asks their identity, noting the disturbance among creatures.
Observant discernment and careful speech—Hanuman reads the scene accurately and questions without aggression.