Shloka 14
Sāvitrī’s Trirātra-Vrata and Departure with Satyavān (सावित्रीव्रतनिश्चयः सहगमनं च)
कथमुत्सृज्य वैदेहीं वने राक्षससेविते । इति त॑ भ्रातरं दृष्टवा प्राप्तोड्सीति व्यगर्हयत्,भाईको देखकर श्रीरामने उन्हें कोसते हुए कहा--'लक्ष्मण! राक्षसोंसे भरे हुए इस घोर जंगलमें जानकीको अकेली छोड़कर तुम यहाँ कैसे चले आये?”
katham utsṛjya vaidehīṃ vane rākṣasa-sevite | iti taṃ bhrātaraṃ dṛṣṭvā prāpto’sīti vyagarhayat ||
Markandeya said: Seeing his brother arrive there, Rama reproached him: “How could you come here after abandoning Vaidehī (Sītā) alone in this forest frequented by rākṣasas?” The rebuke underscores Rama’s ethical insistence on unwavering protection of the vulnerable and the grave fault of leaving one’s charge unguarded in a place of danger.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
One must not abandon a person placed under one’s protection, especially in a perilous setting; duty (dharma) includes vigilance, responsibility, and safeguarding the vulnerable.
In Markandeya’s narration of the Rama story, Lakshmana appears before Rama; Rama, alarmed for Sita’s safety, reproaches Lakshmana for coming after leaving Vaidehi alone in a forest associated with rākṣasas.