Shloka 18
सीतान्वेषणारम्भः
The Search for Sita Begins
वनं सर्वं विचिनुवो यत्र सा जनकात्मजा।।।।मन्यसे यदि काकुत्स्थ मा स्म शोके मनः कृथाः।
vanaṁ sarvaṁ vicinuvo yatra sā janakātmajā |
manyase yadi kākutstha mā sma śoke manaḥ kṛthāḥ ||3.61.18||
वनं सर्वं विचिनुवो यत्र सा जनकात्मजा। मन्यसे यदि काकुत्स्थ मा स्म शोके मनः कृथाः॥
When Lakshmana consoled him so affectionately Rama became composed. He continued the search with Lakshmana, son of Sumitra.
FAQs
Dharma is self-mastery (indriya-nigraha/śoka-nirodha) in service of duty: grief must not override the righteous task of searching and protecting.
Lakṣmaṇa asks Rāma’s assent and proposes a thorough search of the forest, urging him not to be consumed by sorrow.
Composure and determination—Lakṣmaṇa models calm persistence and invites Rāma back into purposeful action.