Shloka 4.41.42
दक्षिणदिशि सीतान्वेषण-आदेशः (Commissioning the Southern Search for Sītā)
न तु तच्चन्दनं दृष्टवा स्प्रष्टव्यं च कदाचन।।।।रोहिता नाम गन्धर्वा घोरा रक्षन्ति तद्वनम्।
na tu tac candanaṃ dṛṣṭvā spraṣṭavyaṃ ca kadācana |
rohitā nāma gandharvā ghorā rakṣanti tad vanam ||
But even upon seeing that sandalwood, you must never touch it; dreadful Gandharvas called the Rohitas guard that forest.
'Never touch when you see the sandal trees, for they are guarded by dreadful gandharvas named Rohitas.
Dharma is respecting what is forbidden or protected and not taking what is not rightfully yours—restraint prevents needless conflict and preserves the higher mission.
Sugriva warns the searchers about a guarded sandalwood forest and explicitly forbids touching it.
Obedience to rightful instruction and prudence: disciplined agents avoid avoidable danger and moral transgression.