Shloka 3.10.9
दशमः सर्गः — Rama’s Vow to Protect the Sages of Daṇḍaka (Dharma of Refuge)
प्रसीदन्तु भवन्तो मे ह्रीरेषा हि ममातुला।यदीदृशैरहं विप्रैरुपस्थेयैरुपस्थितः।।।।
prasīdantu bhavanto me hrīr eṣā hi mamātulā |
yad īdṛśair ahaṃ viprair upastheyair upasthitaḥ ||
“Be gracious to me, I pray; for immeasurable is my shame that such venerable brāhmaṇa-sages—worthy of my approach—have instead come to approach me.”
Be pleased ! That brahmins like you have approached me while I should have come to you has put me to shame immeasurable .
Dharma is expressed as deference to the virtuous and a sense of responsibility: the protector should proactively serve those who uphold righteousness.
Rāma responds to the sages’ request, expressing regret that they had to come to him for help.
Humility joined with accountability—Rāma admits fault and honors the sages’ status.