Shloka 3.14.7
जटायुस्संवादः — Encounter with Jaṭāyu and the Genealogy of Beings (Aranyakanda 14)
कर्दमः प्रथमस्तेषां विक्रीतस्तदनन्तरः।शेषश्च संश्रयश्चैव बहुपुत्रश्च वीर्यवान्।।3.14.7।।स्थाणुर्मरीचिरत्रिश्च क्रतुश्चैव महाबलः।पुलस्त्यश्चाङ्गिराश्चैव प्रचेताः पूलहस्तथा।।3.14.8।।दक्षो विवस्वानपरोऽरिष्टनेमिश्च राघव।काश्यपश्च महातेजास्तेषामासीच्च पश्चिमः।।3.14.9।।
sa tatra sītāṃ paridāya maithilīṃ sahaiva tenātibalena pakṣiṇā |
jagāma tāṃ pañcavaṭīṃ salakṣmaṇo ripūn didhakṣañ chalabhān iva vānalaḥ || 3.14.35 ||
There, entrusting Sītā of Mithilā to that exceedingly strong bird (Jatāyu), Rāma—accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa—went to Pañcavaṭī, intent on consuming his foes like a forest-fire that burns moths.
O Rama! among the lords of all beings the first was Kardama, the next was Vikritha, followed by Sesha, Samsrya Bahuputra, Sthanu, Mareechi, Atri and mighty Kratu, Pulastya, Angirasa, Pracheta, similarly Pulaha and Daksha.Following them were Vivasvan, Arishtanemi and the very glorious Kasyapa who was the last ruler.
Dharma as delegated responsibility: Rāma ensures Sītā’s protection by entrusting her to a trustworthy guardian, showing prudent duty rather than impulsive action.
Before proceeding onward, Rāma places Sītā under Jatāyu’s protection and then goes with Lakṣmaṇa toward Pañcavaṭī, ready to confront threats in the forest.
Rāma’s strategic righteousness and protective care: he balances the warrior’s resolve against enemies with careful safeguarding of Sītā.