Shloka 2.107.8
पितृवाक्यपालनम्, गयाश्रुति-उपदेशः, भरतस्य राज्यग्रहण-निर्देशः (Rama’s Counsel on Vows, the Gaya Śruti, and Bharata’s Return to Rule)
सोऽहं वनमिदं प्राप्तो निर्जनं लक्ष्मणान्वितः।सीतया चाप्रतिद्वन्द्व स्सत्यवादे स्थितः पितुः।।2.107.8।।
so ’haṃ vanam idaṃ prāpto nirjanaṃ lakṣmaṇānvitaḥ |
sītayā cāpratidvandvaḥ satyavāde sthitaḥ pituḥ || 2.107.8 ||
Thus I have reached this lonely forest, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā, resolved to uphold the truthfulness of my father—unrivalled in his fidelity to his word.
I have come to this lonely forest accompanied by Lakshmana and Sita, bent upon upholding the truth of our unrivalled father's words.
Dharma as satya-rakṣaṇa (guarding truth): Rāma frames exile as a conscious act to preserve the moral authority of a father’s pledged word.
Rāma, speaking to Bharata, describes his present state in the forest with Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā and explains the moral resolve behind it.
Rāma’s integrity and steadfastness, and also Lakṣmaṇa’s and Sītā’s devoted solidarity in hardship.