Shloka 4.53.17
स्वयम्प्रभा-विमोचनम् — Svayamprabha Leads the Vanaras Out (Time-Limit Crisis and Counsel)
ततः पुष्पातिभाराग्रान् लताशतसमावृतान्।द्रुमान्वासन्तिकान्दृष्टवा बभूवुर्भयशङ्किताः।।।।
tataḥ puṣpātibhārāgrān latāśatasamāvṛtān |
drumān vāsantikān dṛṣṭvā babhūvur bhayaśaṅkitāḥ ||
Then, seeing springtime trees whose tops drooped under the weight of abundant blossoms, wrapped in hundreds of creepers, they became fearful and apprehensive.
Alarmed at the thought (of transgression of time limit), the monkeys kept looking at the tree tops entwined with a hundred oreepers heavily loaded with the flowers of spring.
Truth is revealed through signs: recognizing objective indicators (the season) prevents self-deception and prompts ethical accountability.
The blooming of spring becomes evidence that much time has passed, triggering fear about Sugrīva’s deadline.
Moral sensitivity—fear arises not from nature itself but from awareness of neglected obligation.