Sundarakāṇḍa Sarga 32
Sītā’s Perplexity and Recognition of Hanumān
सा तं दृष्ट्वा हरिश्रेष्ठं विनीतवदुपस्थितम्।मैथिली चिन्तयामास स्वप्नोऽयमिति भामिनी।।।।
sā taṁ dṛṣṭvā hariśreṣṭhaṁ vinītavad upasthitam |
maithilī cintayāmāsa svapno ’yam iti bhāminī ||
വാനരശ്രേഷ്ഠൻ വിനയത്തോടെ സമീപത്തു നില്ക്കുന്നതു കണ്ട മൈഥിലീ സീത മനസ്സിൽ ചിന്തിച്ചു: “ഇത് സ്വപ്നമോ?”
There (on the tree) she noticed a monkey like a cluster of fully blossomed Ashoka flower, shining bright, whose eyes were glowing like pure molten gold, speaking softly and pleasingly.
Dharma values discernment (viveka): Sītā does not accept appearances hastily; she tests reality amid fear and longing.
Sītā regains some composure and questions whether the encounter with Hanumān is real or dreamlike.
Sītā’s cautious intelligence—restraint before trust.