Shloka 3.1.9
तापसाश्रममण्डलदर्शनम् (Entering Dandaka and Meeting the Sages)
ब्रह्मविद्भिर्महाभागैर्ब्राह्मणैरुपशोभितम्।तद्दृष्ट्वा राघवः श्रीमांस्तापसाश्रममण्डलम्।।।।अभ्यगच्छन्महातेजा विज्यं कृत्वा महद्धनुः।
brahmavidbhir mahābhāgair brāhmaṇair upaśobhitam | tad dṛṣṭvā rāghavaḥ śrīmāṃs tāpasāśramamaṇḍalam || abhyagacchan mahātejā vijyaṃ kṛtvā mahaddhanuḥ |
Seeing that circle of ascetics’ hermitages, adorned by venerable brāhmaṇas who knew Brahman, the illustrious and radiant Rāghava approached—first loosening the string of his great bow.
The illustrious, effulgent Rama saw groups of hermitages adorned with venerable brahmins, with knowledge of the Supreme Spirit. On seeing them he loosened the string of his great bow and went forward.
Dharma here is maryādā (proper conduct): even while armed, Rāma approaches holy space with restraint and respect, signaling non-aggression toward ascetics and reverence for spiritual life.
Rāma sees the ascetics’ hermitage-cluster in the forest and advances toward it, loosening the string of his bow as a gesture of decorum and peace.
Rāma’s humility and self-control—he tempers warrior readiness with reverence in a sacred environment.