Shloka 8
अरण्यकाण्डे एकोनषष्टितमः सर्गः
Maricha’s Mimic Cry and the Rama–Lakshmana–Sita Confrontation
सा तमार्तस्वरं श्रुत्वा तव स्नेहेन मैथिली।गच्छ गच्छेति मामाह रुदन्ती भयविह्वला।।।।
sā tam ārtasvaraṃ śrutvā tava snehenā maithilī |
gaccha gaccheti mām āha rudantī bhayavihvalā ||
ആ ദുഃഖനാദം കേട്ട്, നിന്നോടുള്ള സ്നേഹത്താൽ മൈഥിലി കരഞ്ഞുകൊണ്ട്, ഭയത്തിൽ വിറച്ച്, എന്നോടു വീണ്ടും വീണ്ടും പറഞ്ഞു—“പോ, പോ!”
The princess from Mithila heard this cry of pain and, wild with fear, urged me out of her love for you to go.
FAQs
The verse highlights the dharmic tension between protecting Sītā (a direct duty for Lakṣmaṇa) and responding to a perceived crisis involving Rāma; Sītā’s plea arises from love and concern, showing how emotion can press upon duty in moments of fear.
A distress-cry is heard in the forest (part of the deception around the golden deer episode), and Sītā—alarmed—urges Lakṣmaṇa to go quickly, believing Rāma may be in danger.
Sītā’s devoted concern (pativratā-bhāva) is emphasized—her love for Rāma is so strong that fear for his safety overrides her own composure.