पद्मानना पद्मविशालनेत्रा पद्मानि वानेतुमभिप्रयाता।तदप्ययुक्तं न हि सा कदाचिन्मया विना गच्छति पङ्कजानि।।।।
padmānanā padmaviśālanetrā padmāni vā netum abhiprayātā |
tad apy ayuktaṁ na hi sā kadācin mayā vinā gacchati paṅkajāni ||
Ang babaeng may mukhang-lotus at malalaking matang-lotus—baka nagtungo upang mamitas ng mga lotus? Ngunit hindi rin iyon nararapat; sapagkat kailanma’y hindi siya pumupunta sa mga pankaja nang wala ako.
The lady whose face was like the lotus, whose large eyes were like lotus petals could have gone to fetch lotuses! (but) that also is not possible as she has never gone there without me.
It points to consistency of conduct (ācāra) as a guide to truth: Rama uses Sita’s habitual righteousness and carefulness to judge what is plausible.
Rama explores another possibility—that Sita went to pick lotuses—then dismisses it based on her usual behavior.
Sita’s modest caution and Rama’s attentive knowledge of her character.