Shloka 5.16.31
षोडशः सर्गः (Sarga 16): Hanumān’s Recognition of Sītā and Renewed Lament
अस्या हि पुष्पावनताग्रशाखाः शोकं दृढं वै जनयन्त्यशोकाः।हिमव्यपायेन च शीतरश्मि रभ्युत्थितो नैकसहस्ररश्मि:।।5.16.31।।
kṣatikṣamā puṣkarasannibhākṣī yā rakṣitā rāghavalakṣmaṇābhyām |
sā rākṣasībhir vikṛtekṣaṇābhiḥ saṃrakṣyate samprati vṛkṣamūle ||5.16.29||
She—patient as the earth, lotus-eyed—who was protected by Rāghava and Lakṣmaṇa, is now guarded beneath a tree by ogresses with distorted, fearsome eyes.
"The top branches of Ashoka trees bent down with blossoms and the Moon rising with thousands of cool rays at the end of winter (when spring sets in) beholding which she should be delighted intensfy her sorrow."
It contrasts righteous protection with unrighteous captivity, implying a dharmic duty to rescue and defend the innocent against adharma.
Hanuman observes Sītā in confinement, watched by rākṣasīs, and recalls that she once lived under the protection of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa.
Sītā’s kṣamā (forbearance), likened to the earth’s tolerance.