Shloka 2.1.47
गुणप्रशंसा–युवराजनिर्णयः (Praise of Rama’s Virtues and the Decision on the Heir-Apparent)
तान्वेश्मनानाभरणैर्यथाऽर्हं प्रतिपूजितान्।।।।ददर्शालङ्कृतो राजा प्रजापतिरिव प्रजाः।
tān veśmanānābharaṇair yathārhaṃ pratipūjitān |
dadarśālaṅkṛto rājā prajāpatir iva prajāḥ ||
The king—himself adorned—beheld them after they had been duly honoured according to their rank, with lodgings and ornaments, like Prajāpati among his creatures.
The king who received them in a befitting manner and provided them with residence and ornaments looked like lord Brahma adorned by the people.
Atithi-dharma and royal duty: honouring guests and allies appropriately (yathārham) is a moral and political obligation of a righteous king.
Those invited are formally welcomed, given fitting accommodation and honours; Daśaratha then views the assembled dignitaries in the court.
Generosity and propriety—Daśaratha’s careful, rank-appropriate respect toward guests.