Broken and distraught Rama was like a rudderless ship caught in a sea of sorrow. Sighing and glancing at his tautly strung bow ready for use he was an image of 'Pralaya Rudra'. Ever an epitome of serenity and compassion, Rama was no longer himself. Lakshmanan intervened, saying "Rama, this anger is not like you, it disturbs your grace. A man of absolute self control, your prime concern has always been the welfare of the world. Do not oppose your divine self, for to each is allotted its nature. To the moon its light, to the Sun its heat, to the wind its movement and to the earth its forbearance is natural. In you, not only are all those present but also your eternal and incomparable glory.

As for the signs of struggle, I cannot tell to whom the chariot of war belonged, but a battle certainly has just been fought and I see only one chariot and one set of foot prints, so the culprit must be one. For the blame of one, will you destroy the entire earth Rama? No army was here. One chariot and one set of horses only have trod this ground. Spattered with blood and gore, it was a fierce battle, but did not involve many. Kings in their mercy should mete out just punishment. Find the enemy and punish him. We shall search the seas, the forests and the mountains. Even the world of gods and gandharvas shall not be spared. If Sita still remains elusive and the gods remain evasive, then at that hour, release your lethal arrows and destroy the earth!"