Shloka 5.38.28
अभिज्ञानप्रदानम् — The Token of Recognition (Chūḍāmaṇi) and the Crow Episode Recalled
पुत्त्रः किल स शक्रस्य वायसः पततां वरः।।5.38.28।।धरान्तरगतश्शीघ्रं पवनस्य गतौ समः।
vīkṣamāṇas tatas taṃ vai vāyasaṃ samudaikṣata || 5.38.27 ||
nakhaiḥ sarudhirais tīkṣṇair mām evābhimukhaṃ sthitam |
Then, looking about, he saw that crow standing before me, facing me, with sharp claws stained with blood.
'This crow was the best of birds. He was surely Indra's son who had covered a long distance with great speed and his speed was like the Wind-god's.
Dharma-based justice relies on clear identification and evidence of wrongdoing; moral action is grounded in truth (satya).
Rāma visually confirms the crow as the immediate aggressor.
Vigilance and discernment—seeing the situation accurately before responding.