Shloka 3.1.4
तापसाश्रममण्डलदर्शनम् (Entering Dandaka and Meeting the Sages)
पूजितं च प्रनृत्तं च नित्यमप्सरसां गणैः।विशालैरग्निशरणैः स्रुग्भाण्डैरजिनैः कुशैः।।।।समिद्भिस्तोयकलशैः फलमूलैश्च शोभितम्।आरण्यैश्च महावृक्षैः पुण्यैस्स्वादुफलैर्वृतम्।।।।
te vayaṃ bhavatā rakṣyā bhavad-viṣaya-vāsinaḥ |
nagarastho vanastho vā tvaṃ no rājā janeśvaraḥ ||
We are inhabitants of your realm; therefore we are to be protected by you. Whether you dwell in the city or in the forest, you are our king—the lord of the people.
The hermitages looked glorified with dances by celestial damsels. They were adorned with vast fire sanctuaries, ladles for sacrificial ceremonies, deer-skins and kusa grass faggots for pots of water, roots and fruits. They looked delightful with huge sacred trees of the forest laden with sweet fruits.
Rājadharma: the ruler’s foremost duty is protection of dependents and subjects. Even in exile, Rāma is addressed as king because dharma-based responsibility does not vanish with location.
After welcoming Rāma in the forest region, the sages formally assert their relationship to him as subjects and request his protection from threats in the wilderness.
Rāma’s protective kingship—steadfast responsibility and truth to duty (satya in commitment to dharma) regardless of personal hardship.