Shloka 2.55.33
चित्रकूटमार्गोपदेशः — Instructions for the Chitrakuta Route and the Yamuna Crossing
क्रोशमात्रं ततो गत्वा भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मणौ।बहून्मेध्यान्मृगान्हत्वा चेरतुर्यमुनावने।।।।
krośamātraṁ tato gatvā bhrātarau rāmalakṣmaṇau | bahūn medhyān mṛgān hatvā ceratur yamunāvane ||
Having gone about a krośa from there, the brothers Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, after killing many deer fit for sacred use, ate in the forest by the Yamunā.
After walking a krosa into the forest on the bank of Yamuna, the two brothers killed many deer suitable for sacrifice and ate them.
Dharma as regulated living: even necessities like food are framed within purity norms (medhya), reflecting disciplined conduct in exile.
Rama and Lakshmana travel further along the Yamunā-side forest and procure food by hunting deer considered ritually acceptable.
Austerity and adaptability—maintaining order and restraint while living the forest life.