Shloka 3.10.5
दशमः सर्गः — Rama’s Vow to Protect the Sages of Daṇḍaka (Dharma of Refuge)
वसन्तो धर्मनिरता वने मूलफलाशनाः।न लभन्ते सुखं भीता राक्षसैः क्रूरकर्मभिः।।।।
vasanto dharmaniratā vane mūlaphalāśanāḥ |
na labhante sukhaṃ bhītā rākṣasaiḥ krūrakarmabhiḥ ||
The sages, dwelling in the forest, living on roots and fruits and steadfast in dharma, cannot find happiness—terror-stricken by the rākṣasas whose deeds are cruel.
The sages living in the forest, eating roots and fruits and ever engaged in righteous activities are afraid of the depredations of the demons, with their happiness gone.
Dharma here highlights the vulnerability of those committed to righteous living; it implies the kingly/heroic duty to protect dharmic communities from violent oppression.
Forest sages describe how rākṣasas terrorize them, disrupting their peaceful ascetic life in Daṇḍaka.
The sages’ steadfastness in dharma and austerity is emphasized, setting the moral ground for Rāma’s protective duty.