Shloka 2.102.38
पितृमरणश्रवणं जलक्रिया च (Hearing of Daśaratha’s death and the libation rites at Mandākinī)
अचिरप्रोषितं रामं चिरविप्रोषितं यथा।द्रष्टुकामो जनः सर्वो जगाम सहसाऽऽश्रमम्।।।।
aciraprōṣitaṃ rāmaṃ ciraviprōṣitaṃ yathā |
draṣṭukāmo janaḥ sarvo jagāma sahasā ’śramam ||
All the people, eager to see Rama, rushed at once toward the hermitage—as though he had been away for a long time, though his exile was recent.
The whole multitude of people at once rushed towards the hermitage wishing to see Rama as if he had left long ago though he had gone on exile very recently.
Dharma as reverence for the righteous: society is drawn toward a virtuous leader, indicating that moral authority (not mere power) commands hearts.
The wider retinue and public surge toward Rama’s hermitage, unable to bear even brief separation.
Rama’s moral charisma: his perceived righteousness makes his absence feel unbearably long.