Shloka 3.1.7
तापसाश्रममण्डलदर्शनम् (Entering Dandaka and Meeting the Sages)
बलिहोमार्चितं पुण्यं ब्रह्मघोषनिनादितम्।पुष्पैश्चान्यैः परिक्षिप्तं पद्मिन्या च सपद्मया।।3.1.6।।फलमूलाशनैर्दान्तैश्चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बरैः।सूर्यवैश्वानराभैश्च पुराणैर्मुनिभिर्वुतम्।।3.1.7।।
tathānye tāpasāḥ siddhā rāmaṃ vaiśvānaropamāḥ |
nyāyavṛttā yathānyāyaṃ tarpayāmāsur īśvaram ||
So too, other accomplished ascetics—likened to Vaiśvānara, the sacred fire—upright in conduct, satisfied Lord Rāma in a manner befitting righteousness.
The hermitages where various sacrificial offerings were made reverberated with Vedic chantings. Flowers were scattered all over. There was a lotuspond with lotuses. There were aged, selfrestrained sages glowing like the Sun or the fire, living on fruits and roots, clothed in bark and dark deerskin.
Nyāya-driven dharma: righteousness is not only personal austerity but also fitting, principled conduct toward others—honoring a protector-guest in a ‘yathānyāya’ (proper) way.
The scene closes with additional groups of accomplished sages respectfully pleasing Rāma, affirming his moral authority and foreshadowing his role as protector in the forest.
The sages’ integrity (nyāyavṛtta) and Rāma’s status as a dharmic center—one whom the righteous naturally honor—are emphasized.