Shloka 3.10.19
दशमः सर्गः — Rama’s Vow to Protect the Sages of Daṇḍaka (Dharma of Refuge)
अप्यहं जीवितं जह्यां त्वां वा सीते सलक्ष्मणाम्।न तु प्रतिज्ञां संश्रुत्य ब्राह्मणेभ्यो विशेषतः।।।।
te cārtā daṇḍakāraṇye munayaḥ saṁśitavratāḥ |
māṁ sīte svayam āgamya śaraṇyāḥ śaraṇaṁ gatāḥ ||
O Sita, those sages in distress in the Dandaka forest—men of firm vows—came to me in person and sought refuge in one who is fit to grant protection.
O Sita I may forfeit my life forsake, even Lakshmana and you but will not break the promise made specially to the brahmins৷৷
Granting refuge (śaraṇa) is a key dharmic obligation: those capable of protection must respond when the righteous are oppressed.
Rama explains that ascetic sages of Dandaka, though austere and disciplined, approached him for protection due to their distress.
Rama’s role as a protector—worthiness to shelter others (śaraṇya).