Shloka 2.16.42
सुमन्त्रदर्शनम् तथा रामस्य राजदर्शनाय प्रस्थानम् (Sumantra Meets Rama; Rama Departs to See the King)
इति प्रासादशृङ्गेषु प्रमदाभिर्नरोत्तमः।।।।शुश्राव राजमार्गस्थः प्रिया वाच उदाहृताः।आत्मसंपूजनै शृण्वन् ययौ रामौ महापथम्।।।।
iti prāsādaśṛṅgeṣu pramadābhir narottamaḥ |
śuśrāva rājamārgasthaḥ priyā vāca udāhṛtāḥ |
ātmasaṃpūjanaiḥ śṛṇvan yayau rāmo mahāpatham ||
Thus, while on the royal road, Rama—the best of men—heard the pleasing words spoken by women from the tops of lofty buildings; listening to such praise of himself, he went on along the great highway.
Rama, the best among men, while riding along the highway overheard the pleasing words uttered by women standing on the elevation of their buildings. Thus hearing his own praise Rama proceeded along the highway.
The verse highlights a dharmic social order where public speech praises virtue, and the ruler-in-making moves forward with composure amid acclaim.
Rama proceeds along the main road while women call out praises from rooftops; he hears these words as he continues onward.
Rama’s steadiness and dignified restraint—he continues his course without being diverted by public adulation.