Shloka 5.38.25
अभिज्ञानप्रदानम् — The Token of Recognition (Chūḍāmaṇi) and the Crow Episode Recalled
स मां दृष्ट्वा महाबाहुर्वितुन्नां स्तनयोस्तदा।।5.38.25।।आशीविष इव क्रुद्धश्वसन्वाक्यमभाषत।
tataḥ samukṣito rāmo muktaiḥ śoṇitabindubhiḥ |
vāyasena tatas tena balavat kliśyamānayā || 5.38.24 ||
sa mayā bodhitaḥ śrīmān sukhasuptaḥ parantapaḥ |
Then Rama was splashed by drops of blood that had fallen. As I was being cruelly tormented by that crow, I awakened him—Rama, illustrious, who had been sleeping peacefully, the scorcher of foes.
'O strong-armed Rama, seeing my torn breasts, you became angry like a hissing serpent and hissing said :
Dharma includes the duty to protect those under one’s care; suffering and visible injury become a call to righteous action rather than indifference.
Blood drops wake Rāma as Sītā is being harmed by the crow.
Rāma’s readiness for protective responsibility (rakṣaṇa-dharma), even when at rest.