Shloka 4.59.10
सम्पातिवाक्यम् (Sampati’s Intelligence Report on Sita’s Abduction)
स कदाचित्क्षुधार्तस्य ममाहाराभिकाङ्क्षिणः।गतसूर्येऽहनि प्राप्तो मम पुत्रो ह्यनामिषः।।।।
sa kadācit kṣudhārtasya mamāhārābhikāṅkṣiṇaḥ | gatasūrye 'hani prāpto mama putro hy anāmiṣaḥ || 4.59.10 ||
Once, when I was tormented by hunger and longing for food, my son returned to me after sunset—without any meat.
'Once my son came to me without meat after sunset while I was feeling hungry for food.
Dharma under scarcity: the verse frames a truthful account of deprivation, preparing for a lesson about restraint, duty, and right conduct even when hungry.
Sampāti begins a backstory: while he was hungry, his son returned empty-handed after sunset, prompting an explanation.
Endurance (kṣamā/śakti): Sampāti survives hardship and narrates it clearly, without distortion.