Shloka 3.10.7
दशमः सर्गः — Rama’s Vow to Protect the Sages of Daṇḍaka (Dharma of Refuge)
ते भक्ष्यमाणा मुनयो दण्डकारण्यवासिनः।अस्मानभ्यवपद्येति मामूचुर्द्विजसत्तमा।।।।
te bhakṣyamāṇā munayo daṇḍakāraṇyavāsinaḥ |
asmān abhyavapadyeti mām ūcur dvija-sattamāḥ ||
Those sages of Daṇḍakāraṇya, being thus preyed upon, the best of the twice-born, said to me: “Come to our rescue; in you we seek refuge.”
The ascetics, the best of brahmins living in Dandaka forest being eaten up like that besought me to come to their rescue.
Seeking refuge with a righteous protector is validated; it also invokes rāja-dharma—the duty to protect the vulnerable and uphold moral order.
The sages, suffering rākṣasa attacks, formally request Rāma to protect them.
Trust in righteousness and rightful authority—approaching the dharmic hero for shelter.