अरण्यकाण्डे एकोनषष्टितमः सर्गः
Maricha’s Mimic Cry and the Rama–Lakshmana–Sita Confrontation
न स्वयं कामकारेण तां त्यक्त्वाहमिहागतः।प्रचोदित स्तयैवोग्रैस्त्वत्सकाशमिहागतः।।।।
na svayaṃ kāma-kāreṇa tāṃ tyaktvāham ihāgataḥ |
pracoditaḥ tayāivograis tvat-sakāśam ihāgataḥ ||
ข้ามิได้มาที่นี่ด้วยความสมัครใจหลังละนางไว้ แต่เพราะถูกถ้อยคำอันแข็งกร้าวของนางบีบคั้น ข้าจึงมาหาท่าน ณ ที่นี้
Bending the bow I fixed the arrow and released it at ease. Hit by that arrow he gave up his guise of the deer and assuming the form of a demon with a bracelet on his arm fell down groaning.
Dharma is tested when duties conflict: Lakṣmaṇa claims he did not abandon Sītā by choice, suggesting he acted under compulsion—raising the question of steadfastness versus compliance.
Lakṣmaṇa answers Rama’s accusation and explains that Sītā’s forceful words drove him to come to Rama.
Truthfulness and accountability: Lakṣmaṇa reports his motive plainly, without claiming merit.