Shloka 5.15.39
अशोकवनिकायां सीतादर्शनम् (Sita Seen in the Ashoka Grove)
दुःखेन बुबुधे सीतां हनुमाननलङ्कृताम्।संस्कारेण यथा हीनां वाचमर्थान्तरं गताम्।।।।
duḥkhena bubudhe sītāṃ hanumān analaṅkṛtām | saṃskāreṇa yathā hīnāṃ vācam arthāntaraṃ gatām ||
With difficulty Hanumān recognized Sītā, now without adornment—like words one can still grasp by prior training, though their meaning has shifted and grown unclear for lack of refinement.
Just as an unclear expression which has undergone certain changes in meaning due to lack of usage over a long period is understood by virtue of previous practice so also Hanuman had difficulty in recognising Sita who was devoid of any decoration.
Dharma requires steadiness of mind and truthful recognition: even when appearances change, one must seek the underlying reality and act accordingly.
Hanumān finally identifies Sītā despite her altered, ornamentless condition caused by prolonged suffering.
Hanumān’s discernment and perseverance—he persists until he reaches truthful certainty.