Lakṣmaṇa’s words bolstered Rāmacandra’s confidence. When Lord Rāma saw the king of vultures towards the south at a distance from the place of battle, He cried. This is described in this chapter.

Though Lakṣmaṇa was younger than Śrī Rāma, the latter accepted that which was nicely articulated by the former, [for] it was rational. Indeed, the Smṛti states that one should accept good counsel even from a child.

How is it that He who instructs [others] accepted someone else’s advice? Because He was an essence-seeker, [and Lakṣmaṇa articulated] the great essence [of all advice that could be given at that time].¹

NOTE. In this regard, the Manu-smṛti (2.238-240) states:

śraddadhānaḥ śubhāṁ vidyām ādadītāvarād api
antyād api paraṁ dharmaṁ strī-ratnaṁ duṣkulād api

viṣād apy amṛtaṁ grāhyaṁ bālād api subhāṣitam
amitrād api sad-vṛttam amedhyād api kāñcanam

striyo ratnāny atho vidyā dharmaḥ śaucaṁ subhāṣitam
vividhāni ca śilpāni samādeyāni sarvataḥ

“A man with faith should receive excellent education even from a man of a lower [birth], the supreme dharma from a man of the lowest [birth], and a jewellike woman even from a bad family. One can take nectar even from poison, good counsel even from a child, good conduct even from an enemy and gold even from filth. Women, gems, education, dharma, purity, good counsel and crafts of various kinds can be accepted from anyone.”