Shloka 2.26.1
अयोध्याकाण्डे षड्विंशः सर्गः — Rama’s Departure and Sita’s Questions; Disclosure of Exile and Counsel on Courtly Conduct
अभिवाद्य च कौसल्यां राम स्संप्रस्थितो वनम्।कृतस्वस्त्ययनो मात्रा धर्मिष्ठे वर्त्मनि स्थितः।।।।विराजयन्राजसुतो राजमार्गं नरैर्वृतम्।हृदयान्याममन्थेव जनस्य गुणवत्तया।।।।
abhivādya ca kausalyāṃ rāmaḥ saṃprasthito vanam | kṛta-svastyayano mātrā dharmiṣṭhe vartmani sthitaḥ || virājayan rājasuto rāja-mārgaṃ narair vṛtam | hṛdayāny āmamanth eva janasya guṇavattayā ||
Having saluted Kausalyā, and after his mother had performed the benedictory rites, Rāma set out for the forest, firmly established on the most righteous path of dharma. The prince entered the royal highway thronged with people; shining as he went, he seemed to churn the hearts of the populace by the power of his virtues.
After the benedictory rites were performed by his mother Kausalya, Rama paid obeisance to her and staying on the righteous path decided to depart to the forest. He entered the highway thronged with people and illumining it with his lustre and stirred their hearts with (remembrances of) his excellent virtues.
Dharma is steadfast adherence to the righteous course even when it causes personal loss: Rāma’s departure is framed as standing firmly on the dharmiṣṭha path.
Rāma, blessed by Kausalyā, leaves for exile and moves through the main road of Ayodhyā, where the people’s emotions are deeply stirred by his presence and virtues.
Moral charisma rooted in virtue: Rāma’s guṇavattā (excellence) affects the public profoundly, marking him as the ideal prince.