Shloka 2.116.26
तपस्विनाम् औत्सुक्यं राक्षसत्रासश्च (Ascetics’ Anxiety and the Fear of Rakshasas)
आश्रममृषिविरहितं प्रभुः क्षणमपिन जहौ स राघवः।राघवं हि सततमनुगता स्तापसाश्चार्षचरित धृतगुणाः।।2.116.26।।
nayanair bhru-kuṭībhiś ca rāmaṃ nirdiśya śaṅkitāḥ | anyonyam upajalpanta śanaiś cakrur mithaḥ kathāḥ || 2.116.3 ||
The ascetics, pointing toward Rāma with wary eyes and knitted brows, quietly conferred among themselves, exchanging words in secret.
Lord Rama, did not leave that hermitage deserted by the sages even for a moment. Those who had adopted the traditions of the sages and had acquired many virtues followed Rama.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē ṣōḍaśōttaraśatatamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the hundredsixteenth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
The verse highlights communal vigilance in an āśrama: ascetics protect dharma by observing conduct closely and discussing concerns discreetly before making accusations.
In a hermitage setting, the sages notice something that makes them uneasy; they look at Rāma with suspicion and whisper among themselves.
The ascetics’ concern for āśrama-dharma and propriety—guarding the sanctity of the hermitage through careful observation.