Shloka 5.38.12
अभिज्ञानप्रदानम् — The Token of Recognition (Chūḍāmaṇi) and the Crow Episode Recalled
शैलस्य चित्रकूटस्य पादे पूर्वोत्तरे पुरा।।5.38.12।।तापसाश्रमवासिन्याः प्राज्यमूलफलोदके।तस्मिन्सिद्धाश्रमे देशे मन्दाकिन्या विदूरतः।।5.38.13।।तस्योपवनषण्डेषु नानापुष्पसुगन्धिषु।विहृत्य सलिले क्लिन्ना ममाङ्के समुपाविशमः।।5.38.14।।
śailasya citrakūṭasya pāde pūrvottare purā |
tāpasāśramavāsinyāḥ prājyamūlaphalodake |
tasmin siddhāśrame deśe mandākinyā vidūrataḥ ||
tasyopavanaṣaṇḍeṣu nānāpuṣpasugandhiṣu |
vihṛtya salile klinnā mamāṅke samupāviśamaḥ ||
Formerly, at the northeastern foot of Mount Citrakūṭa, in that land of Siddhāśrama near the Mandākinī—abounding in roots, fruits, and water—you and I wandered through its garden-groves fragrant with many flowers; and after sporting in the water, I, drenched, sat upon your lap.
'Long ago we were staying at Siddhasrama. This hermitage was situated to the north-east at the foot of Chitrakuta mountain which was not far from the river Mandakini. It had abundant roots, fruits and water. You sported with me in the gardens which were fragrant with many types of flowers and ponds. You sat down on my lap with wet clothes in the hermitage'.
Truth established through intimate, non-transferable knowledge: Sītā uses a shared, private remembrance as ethical proof—satya that cannot be fabricated.
Sītā gives Hanumān a specific recollection from their forest life near Citrakūṭa as an identifying token for Rāma.
Marital fidelity and tenderness within dharma (pativratā-bhāva): the bond is recalled not as indulgence, but as a truthful sign of identity and love.