Canto 3 -
Araṇya-kāṇḍa
Chapter 15: Lakṣmaṇa Constructs an Āśrama for Rāma in Pañcavaṭī
Text 3.15.9
स तं रुचिरमाक्रम्य देशमाश्रमकर्मणि।
हस्तौ गृहीत्वा हस्तेन रामः सौमित्रिमब्रवीत्॥
sa taṁ ruciram ākramya deśam āśrama-karmaṇi
hastau gṛhītvā hastena rāmaḥ saumitrim abravīt
saḥ tam ruciram = a pleasant; ākramya = walked over; deśam = spot; āśrama-karmaṇi = to have an āśrama constructed there; hastau = [Lakṣmaṇa’s] hands; gṛhītvā = held; hastena = with His hand; rāmaḥ = Rāma; saumitrim = to Him; abravīt = and spoke [as follows].
Rāma walked over a pleasant spot to have an āśrama constructed there, held [Lakṣmaṇa’s] hands with His hand and spoke to Him [as follows].
1 Rāmāyaṇa-bhūṣaṇa: snehātiśaya-kṛtānubhāvo hasta-grahaṇam.
Rāma walked over to [a pleasant spot] considering it to be [for] His [use]. Lakṣmaṇa’s palms were joined together. Rāma held them with His hands and spoke [to Him]. Holding the hand is a sign of extreme affection.1