Shloka 3.12.20
अगस्त्याश्रमप्रवेशः तथा दिव्यायुधप्रदानम् (Entry into Agastya’s Hermitage and the Gift of Divine Weapons)
स तत्र ब्रह्मणः स्थानमग्नेः स्थानं तथैव च।।3.12.17।। विष्णोः स्थानं महेन्द्रस्य स्थानं चैव विवस्वतः। सोमस्थानं भगस्थानं स्थानं कौबेरमेव च।।3.12.18।। दातुर्विधातुः स्थानेच वायोः स्थानं तथैव च। नागराजस्य च स्थानमनन्तस्य महात्मनः।।3.12.19।। स्थानं तथैव गायत्र्या वसूनां स्थानमेव च। स्थानं च पाशहस्तस्य वरुणस्य महात्मनः।।3.12.20।। कार्तिकेयस्य च स्थानं धर्मस्थानं च पश्यति।
sthānaṃ tathaiva gāyatryā vasūnāṃ sthānam eva ca |
sthānaṃ ca pāśahastasya varuṇasya mahātmanaḥ || 3.12.20 ||
kārtikeyasya ca sthānaṃ dharmasthānaṃ ca paśyati |
There Rāma also saw the sacred places dedicated to Gāyatrī and to the Vasus, and likewise the place of the great Varuṇa, bearer of the noose. He also saw the place of Kārttikeya and the very place set apart for Dharma.
Rama saw at the hermitage, the places (altars) of Brahma, Visnu, Agni (firegod), Indra, Sun, Moon, Bhaga, Kubera, Dhata (supreme spirit), Vidhata (creator Brahman), Vayu (Windgod), Ananta (great serpentking), Gayatri, Vasu Pasahasta, Varuna, Kartikeya and Dharma .
Dharma is presented as something to be honored concretely—through reverence for sacred order, disciplined worship, and recognition of cosmic guardians (like Varuṇa). The ‘place of Dharma’ symbolizes that righteousness is not abstract alone but lived and ritually upheld.
Rāma is observing Agastya’s hermitage and noticing the various consecrated altars/places dedicated to deities and principles, culminating in a designated place for Dharma.
Rāma’s reverence and attentiveness: he carefully observes and honors the dhārmic environment of the āśrama, reflecting humility before sacred tradition.