Shloka 2.17.1
रामस्य राजमार्गगमनम् (Rama’s Progress along the Royal Highway)
स रामो रथमास्थाय सम्प्रहृष्टसुहृज्जनः।पताकाध्वजसम्पन्नं महार्हागरुधूपितम्।।।।अपश्यन्नगरं श्रीमान्नानाजनसमाकुलम्।
alam adya hi bhuktena paramārthair alaṃ ca naḥ | yadi paśyāma niryāntaṃ rāmaṃ rājyе pratiṣṭhitam ||
“Today, food is enough for us—and even life’s highest aims would feel fulfilled—if only we might see Rama set firm in the kingship and going forth in procession.”
Surrounded by friends overwhelmed with great joy, that glorious Rama aboard the chariot beheld the city decorated with banners and pennants and made fragrant with expensive incense and agaru and crowded with multitudes of people.
Dharma is the longing for righteous rule: people value a dharmic king so highly that worldly needs seem secondary.
The citizens express their heartfelt desire to witness Rama established as king and moving in a ceremonial procession.
Rama’s perceived dharmic fitness for rule—his satya and restraint inspire public trust and devotion.