Shloka 16
सीतान्वेषणारम्भः
The Search for Sita Begins
सरितं वापि सम्प्राप्ता मीनवञ्जुलसेविताम्।स्नातुकामा निलीना स्याद्धासकामा वने क्वचित्।।।।
saritaṁ vāpi samprāptā mīnavañjula-sevitām |
snātukāmā nilīnā syād dhāsakāmā vane kvacit ||3.61.16||
ਜਾਂ ਉਹ ਮੱਛੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਵੰਜੁਲ (ਰੀਡਾਂ) ਨਾਲ ਭਰੀ ਨਦੀ ਤੱਕ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਗਈ ਹੋਵੇ; ਨ੍ਹਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਇੱਛਾ ਨਾਲ ਉੱਥੇ ਲੁਕ ਗਈ ਹੋਵੇ; ਜਾਂ ਹਾਸ-ਖੇਡ ਨਾਲ ਛੇੜਛਾੜ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਚਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਜੰਗਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿਤੇ ਓਹਲੇ ਹੋਈ ਹੋਵੇ।
O best of men, maybe Vaidehi has hidden in the forest intending to scare you and me. She wishes to test our love. O blessed Rama! let us ransack the forest immediately.
FAQs
Dharma is maintaining balance of mind (sattva) during uncertainty: Lakṣmaṇa counters fear with reasonable possibilities so that action remains measured and truthful.
Lakṣmaṇa proposes everyday, non-threatening reasons for Sītā’s absence—bathing in a river or hiding playfully—so the search proceeds without collapse into despair.
Emotional steadiness and supportive companionship—Lakṣmaṇa protects Rāma’s resolve by easing his agitation.