Shloka 2.1.43
गुणप्रशंसा–युवराजनिर्णयः (Praise of Rama’s Virtues and the Decision on the Heir-Apparent)
पूर्णचन्द्राननस्याथ शोकापनुदमात्मनः।।।।लोके रामस्य बुबुधे सम्प्रियत्वं महात्मनः।
ātmanaś ca prajānāṃ ca śreyase ca priyeṇa ca | prāptakālena dharmātmā bhaktyā tvaritavān nṛpaḥ ||
For his own good and for that of his subjects, and out of love, the righteous king—seeing that the proper time had come—hastened forward with devoted resolve.
The king realised afterwards that his grief would be dispelled if noble Rama whose countenance resembled the full moon and who was a favourite of the people is crowned.
Dharma is timely, welfare-centered governance: acting at the right moment for the good of both ruler and subjects, without delay.
Daśaratha, convinced the time is ripe, accelerates preparations toward the succession plan.
Daśaratha’s devotion to duty (bhakti to dharma) expressed as prompt, purposeful action.