Shloka 3.10.2
दशमः सर्गः — Rama’s Vow to Protect the Sages of Daṇḍaka (Dharma of Refuge)
हितमुक्तं त्वया देवि स्निग्धया सदृशं वचः।कुलं व्यपदिशन्त्या च धर्मज्ञे जनकात्मजे।।।।
mayā caitad vacaḥ śrutvā kārtsnyena paripālanam |
ṛṣīṇāṁ daṇḍakāraṇye saṁśrutaṁ janakātmaje ||
O daughter of Janaka, having heard their words in full, I solemnly pledged to protect the sages of the Dandaka forest wholly and without remainder.
O daughter of Janaka, you are conversant with dharma. Whatever you have admonished out of affection for me is befitting your race.
Dharma as protective responsibility: hearing the righteous appeal obligates a capable protector to commit fully, not partially.
Rama tells Sita that he formally promised the Dandaka sages complete protection after listening to their request.
Reliability in duty—Rama’s readiness to bind himself to a comprehensive pledge.