Shloka 5.38.4
अभिज्ञानप्रदानम् — The Token of Recognition (Chūḍāmaṇi) and the Crow Episode Recalled
द्वितीयं कारणं यच्च ब्रवीषि विनयान्विते।रामादन्यस्य नार्हामि संस्पर्शमिति जानकि ।।5.38.4।।एतत्ते सदृशं देवि पत्न्यास्तस्य महात्मनः।का ह्यन्या त्वामृते देवि ब्रूयाद्वचनमीदृशम्।।5.38.5।।
sa kuruṣva mahotsāhaḥ kṛpāṃ mayi nararṣabha |
tvayā nāthavatī nātha hy anāthā iva dṛśyate || 5.38.40 ||
Therefore, O great-spirited bull among men, show compassion to me. Though you are my lord and protector, I—having refuge in you—appear as if without protection.
"O humble lady! the second reason given by you, 'I ought not to touch a person other than Rama' is well said and worthy of you, being the wife of the great soul. Who else can speak such words?
The dharma of protection: a rightful protector is urged to act with compassion so that protection is not merely nominal but effective in relieving suffering.
Sītā, in captivity, asks for Rāma’s compassionate intervention, expressing the lived reality of abandonment despite rightful guardianship.
Sītā’s truthful expression of distress (satya) and her continued reliance on dharmic protection rather than despair.