Shloka 2.103.27
पिण्डदानदर्शनम् — The Queens Behold Rama’s Śrāddha Offering
ब्रुवन्त्यामेवमार्तायां जनन्यां भरताग्रजः।पादावासाद्य जग्राह वसिष्ठस्य च राघवः।।2.103.27।।
bruvantyām evam ārtāyāṃ jananyāṃ bharatāgrajaḥ | pādāv āsādya jagrāha vasiṣṭhasya ca rāghavaḥ || 2.103.27 ||
As his anguished mother spoke thus, Rāghava—Bharata’s elder brother—approached Vasiṣṭha and reverently grasped his feet.
While Rama's mother was uttering such words in anguish, Rama reached Vasistha and clasped his feet with reverence.
Maryādā and dharma are upheld through reverence to spiritual authority: Rāma honors Vasiṣṭha, affirming that guidance of the guru anchors righteous action amid crisis.
While Kausalyā laments, Rāma turns to Vasiṣṭha, the royal priest and moral guide, and pays him formal respect.
Rāma’s humility and discipline—he seeks dharmic anchoring through deference to Vasiṣṭha.