Shloka 5.28.10
सीताविलापः (Sita’s Lament and Resolve under Threat)
नूनं स कालो मृगरूपधारीमामल्पभाग्यां लुलुभे तदानीम्।यत्रार्यपुत्रं विससर्ज मूढा रामानुजं लक्ष्मणपूर्वजं च।।5.28.10।।
nūnaṁ sa kālo mṛga-rūpa-dhārī mām alpa-bhāgyāṁ lulubhe tadānīm | yatrārya-putraṁ visasarja mūḍhā rāmānujaṁ lakṣmaṇa-pūrvajaṁ ca || 5.28.10 ||
Surely it was Time itself, taking the form of a deer, that lured me—ill-fated as I am—at that moment, when in my folly I sent away the noble prince, and also Rāma’s younger brother, Lakṣmaṇa.
"Verily, it is the spirit of the time that assumed the form of deer and tempted this unfortunate soul. It was foolish of me to send away, the sons of a noble king, Lakshmana and his elder brother.
The verse explores accountability and discernment: Sītā recognizes how delusion can lead to choices with grave consequences, urging vigilance in dharmic judgment.
In her grief after Rāvaṇa’s threats, Sītā recalls the moment of the golden-deer episode and blames fate (Kāla) and her own error for sending Lakṣmaṇa away.
Sītā’s honesty and self-scrutiny—she does not merely accuse others but examines her own actions in the light of truth.