Shloka 5.12.5
द्वादशः सर्गः — हनूमतः अन्तःपुरविचयः (Hanuman’s Search Through Ravana’s Inner Apartments)
सीतामदृष्ट्वा ह्यनवाप्य पौरुषंविहृत्य कालं सह वानरैश्चिरम्।न मेऽस्ति सुग्रीवसमीपगा गतिःसुतीक्ष्णदण्डो बलवांश्च वानरः।।।।
sītām adṛṣṭvā hy anavāpya pauruṣaṃ vihṛtya kālaṃ saha vānaraiś ciram |
na me 'sti sugrīvasamīpagā gatiḥ sutīkṣṇadaṇḍo balavāṃś ca vānaraḥ ||
If I return without seeing Sītā—having gained no proof of valor and having spent a long time among the vānaras—there is no way for me to face Sugrīva; that powerful vānara will punish me with a harsh penalty.
'I have spent a long time with vanaras. I have not succeded in my efforts to find Sita. I dare not see Sugriva now without finding Sita and without fulfilling my task. Sugriva will punish me severely. There is no way out.'
Dharma is accountability in service: a messenger must complete the entrusted task truthfully (satya) and effectively, and must accept responsibility for failure rather than offer excuses.
Hanuman fears returning to Sugrīva empty-handed after a long search, anticipating strict consequences for failing the mission.
Sense of duty and responsibility—Hanuman measures himself by results, not by time spent.