Shloka 2.45.12
अयोध्यावासिजनानुरागः — The People and Brahmins Follow Rama toward Exile
बाष्पेण पिहितं दीनं रामः सौमित्रिणा सह।चकर्षेव गुणैर्बद्ध्वा जनं पुरनिवासिनम्।।।।
bāṣpeṇa pihitaṃ dīnaṃ rāmaḥ saumitriṇā saha |
cakarṣeva guṇair baddhvā janaṃ puranivāsinam ||
With Lakṣmaṇa beside him, Rāma drew after him the city-dwellers—wretched and veiled in tears—as though he had bound them fast with his virtues.
Rama along with Lakshmana attracted the city-dwellers who, choked with tears, were looking miserable. It appeared they were bound with his virtues.
Dharma-based leadership creates moral attachment: people follow the righteous not by force, but by trust and love born of virtue.
As Rāma proceeds, the citizens—overcome with sorrow—trail after him, unable to let him go.
Rāma’s guṇas (excellence of character) that inspire deep loyalty and collective compassion.