Shloka 2.45.16
अयोध्यावासिजनानुरागः — The People and Brahmins Follow Rama toward Exile
धर्मतः स विशुद्धात्मा वीरः शुभदृढव्रतः।उपवाह्यस्तु वो भर्ता नापवाह्यः पुराद्वनम्।।।।
karṇavanti hi bhūtāni viśeṣeṇa turaṅgamāḥ |
yūyaṃ tasmān nivartadhvaṃ yācanāṃ prativeditāḥ ||
Creatures have ears, and horses especially are keen of hearing. Therefore, having understood our entreaty, turn back.
Your master has a purity of heart. He is righteous, virtuous, brave and firm in resolve, carry him backward and not forward from the city into the forest.
It teaches compassionate persuasion: even in distress, the speakers appeal gently—assuming responsiveness and moral sensitivity, extending ethical regard even to animals involved in the journey.
Brahmins following Rama attempt to stop or slow the onward movement toward the forest by imploring those directing the chariot and horses to turn back.
The brahmins’ earnest concern and their non-coercive, dharmic mode of appeal.