Shloka 2.56.17
चित्रकूटगमनम् तथा पर्णशालाप्रवेशः (Arrival at Chitrakuta and Establishing the Leaf-Hut)
तान्महर्षि प्रमुदितः पूजयामास धर्मवित्।अस्यतामिति चोवाच स्वागन्तु निवेद्य च।।।।
iti sītā ca rāmaś ca lakṣmaṇaś ca kṛtāñjaliḥ | abhigamyāśramaṁ sarve vālmīkim abhivādayan ||
Thus, Sita and Rama—and Lakshmana with palms joined—approached the hermitage; all of them paid reverence to sage Valmiki.
The great sage Valmiki conversant with righteousness was delighted. He honoured them by extending welcome and said 'Be seated'.
Dharma as maryādā: honoring spiritual authority through respectful approach and salutation. Reverence to sages is presented as a foundational social and ethical duty.
Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana reach Valmiki’s hermitage and formally greet him with folded hands.
Humility and reverence—despite royal stature, they follow ascetic-house etiquette.