Shloka 8
सीतया लक्ष्मणप्रेषणम् — Sita urges Lakshmana to seek Rama
The crisis of the ‘distressed voice’
किं हि संशयमापन्ने तस्मिन्निह मया भवेत्।।3.45.8।।कर्तव्यमिह तिष्ठन्त्या यत्प्रधानस्त्वमागतः।
kiṁ hi saṁśayam āpanne tasminn iha mayā bhavet | kartavyam iha tiṣṭhantyā yatpradhānas tvam āgataḥ || 3.45.8 ||
Puisqu’il est tombé dans le péril, à quoi bon que je demeure ici ? Tu es venu avant tout pour lui ; quel devoir accomplis-tu en restant auprès de moi ?
Saumitri saw the large-eyed, dejected Sita crying in distress.He pacified and consoled her but she did not say anything at all to her husband's brother.
FAQs
It appeals to role-based dharma: Lakṣmaṇa’s stated purpose is service to Rāma, so Sītā argues that duty should prioritize aiding Rāma in danger.
Sītā reframes the dilemma as a question of mission and obligation, urging Lakṣmaṇa to go to Rāma.
Commitment to one’s primary vow/service (sevā-dharma) is emphasized, even amid competing obligations.