Canto 3 -
Araṇya-kāṇḍa
Chapter 59: Rāma Chastises Lakṣmaṇa
Text 3.59.11
विगर्हितं च नीचं च कथमार्योऽभिधास्यति।
त्राहीति वचनं सीते यस्त्रायेत्त्रिदशानपि॥
vigarhitaṁ ca nīcaṁ ca katham āryo ’bhidhāsyati
trāhīti vacanaṁ sīte yas trāyet tri-daśān api
vigarhitam ca = the reprehensible; nīcam = debased; ca = and; katham = how; āryaḥ = noble [Rāma]; abhidhāsyati = can utter; trāhi iti = save [Me]; vacanam = words; sīte = Sītā; yaḥ = who; trāyet = can save; tri-daśān = the devas; api = even.
How can noble [Rāma], who can even save the devas, utter the reprehensible and debased words, “Sītā, save [Me]”?
Here Lakṣmaṇa points out that it would be inappropriate to consider that voice to be Rāma’s.
The words “Sītā, save Me!” were reprehensible for one who is born in a great dynasty because they would imply that [Lord Rāma] was in a state of wretchedness. Those words were debased, that is, contemptible because calling out to a woman [for help] during a time of crisis can [only] take place for one who is petty. How can He who can save the devas utter the words, “Sītā, save [Me]”?