Shloka 2.3.25
यौवराज्याभिषेक-उपकल्पनम् (Preparations for Rama’s Installation as Yuvaraja)
अथ तत्र समासीना स्तदा दशरथं नृपम्।।2.3.24।।प्राच्योदीच्याः प्रतीच्याश्च दाक्षिणात्याश्च भूमिपाः।म्लेच्छाश्चार्याश्च ये चान्ये वनशैलान्तवासिनः।।2.3.25।।उपासाञ्चक्रिरे सर्वे तं देवा इव वासवम्।
teṣāṃ madhye sa rājarṣir marutām iva vāsavaḥ | prāsādastho rathagataṃ dadarśāyāntam ātmajam ||
In their midst, that royal sage—like Indra among the Maruts—standing in the palace, saw his son approaching, seated in the chariot.
After Sumantra had gone, the kings from eastern, northern, western, southern nonAryan and Aryan countries, rulers from forests and mountains paid homage to king Dasaratha, as devatas do to Indra.
Dharmic kingship is shown as both public and personal: Daśaratha holds court among rulers, yet remains a father attentive to his son—duty and family bonds coexist.
Daśaratha, positioned at the palace in the royal assembly, notices Rāma arriving by chariot.
Daśaratha’s dignified authority (Indra-like presence) paired with affectionate attentiveness toward Rāma.