Shloka 3.6.19
षष्ठस्सर्गः — तपस्विरक्षणे राजधर्मोपदेशः (Sarga 6: The Sages’ Appeal and Instruction on Royal Duty)
ततस्त्वां शरणार्थं च शरण्यं समुपस्थिताः।परिपालय नो राम वध्यमानान्निशाचरैः।।।।
tatas tvāṃ śaraṇārthaṃ ca śaraṇyaṃ samupasthitāḥ | paripālaya no rāma vadhyamānān niśācaraiḥ ||
Therefore we have come before you—worthy to grant refuge—seeking protection. O Rāma, protect us, for we are being slain by the night-roamers.
O Rama, you are worthy of refuge. Hence we have come to you seeking your protection. We are being killed by the nightstalkers. Save us.
Śaraṇāgati: when the righteous are harmed, seeking refuge in a protector aligned with dharma is legitimate; the protector’s duty is to respond.
The sages explicitly request Rāma’s protection, stating they are under deadly attack from niśācaras.
Rāma’s role as ‘śaraṇya’—one who gives refuge—underscoring compassion joined with responsibility.