Shloka 2.16.3
सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम् (Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King)
तत्र काषायिणो वृद्धान् वेत्रपाणीन् स्वलङ्कृतान्।ददर्श विष्ठितान् द्वारि स्त्र्यध्यक्षान्सुसमाहितान्।।।।
meghanādam asambādhaṃ maṇihemavibhūṣitam |
muṣṇantam iva cakṣūṃṣi prabhayā sūryavarcasam ||
karēṇuśiśukalpaiś ca yuktaṃ paramavājibhiḥ |
hariyuktaṃ sahasrākṣo ratham indra ivāśugam ||
The chariot thundered like a cloud, broad and unconfined, adorned with gold and jewels; its radiance seemed to steal the eyes, shining with the brilliance of the sun. Harnessed to superb horses, vigorous like young elephants, it sped swiftly like the chariot of Indra, the thousand-eyed, drawn by his steeds.
He saw aged people appointed as security staff for women's apartments. They werewelladorned, dressed in orange robes and with rapt attention stood holding staff in their hands.
Dharma here is expressed through royal maryādā: splendor and power are portrayed as instruments of righteous kingship—public order, protection, and legitimacy—rather than personal indulgence.
The narration describes the majestic chariot prepared for Rāma and his swift movement as he sets out, framed in imagery comparing him to Indra.
Rāma’s kṣātra-tejas (royal valor and presence) aligned with restraint—splendor that serves duty and public responsibility.