Shloka 6.102.18
लक्ष्मण-प्राणरक्षा: (Lakshmana’s Revival by the Herb-Mountain)
न मृथोयंमहाबाहो लक्ष्मणोलक्षमिवर्धन: ।न चास्यविक्रतंवक्त्रानापिशस्वासं न निष्प्रभं ।।।।
na mṛto 'yaṃ mahābāho lakṣmaṇo lakṣmivardhanaḥ |
na cāsya vikṛtaṃ vaktraṃ nāpi śvāsaṃ na niṣprabham ||
“O mighty-armed one, enhancer of fortune—Lakṣmaṇa is not dead. His face is not distorted; his breath has not ceased; and his radiance has not faded.”
O Broad shouldered Rama! Enhancer of prosperity, Lakshmana is not dead. His face has not changed, and he has not lost splendour.
Dharma here is compassionate truth-speaking in a crisis: Suṣeṇa calms grief by stating observable facts, preventing despair from overwhelming righteous action.
After Lakṣmaṇa is struck down in battle, Suṣeṇa examines signs of life and reassures Rāma that Lakṣmaṇa is still alive.
Suṣeṇa’s steadiness and truthful discernment—using clear signs (breath, facial condition, radiance) to guide right action.