Shloka 2.3.37
यौवराज्याभिषेक-उपकल्पनम् (Preparations for Rama’s Installation as Yuvaraja)
तं पश्यमानो नृपतिस्तुतोष प्रियमात्मजम्।।।।अलङ्कृतमिवात्मानमादर्शतलसंस्थितम्।
taṃ paśyamāno nṛpatis tutoṣa priyam ātmajam |
alaṅkṛtam ivātmānam ādarśatalasaṃsthitam ||
Beholding his beloved son, the king felt profound delight—as though he were seeing his own adorned self reflected upon the surface of a mirror.
The king was delighted to see his beloved son as though he saw his own reflection adorning a mirror.
The verse affirms the dharmic ideal of continuity of virtue in lineage: a son becomes a living reflection of the father’s values and honor.
Daśaratha watches Rāma in the assembly and experiences pride and happiness.
Rāma’s worthiness as an heir, and Daśaratha’s appreciative, value-centered love.