Shloka 2.70.6
भरतस्य दूतसमागमः तथा केकयराजनः अनुज्ञा (Bharata Meets the Messengers; Kekaya King Grants Leave)
प्रतिगृह्य तु तत्सर्वं स्वनुरक्त स्सुहृज्जने।दूतानुवाच भरतः कामैस्सम्प्रतिपूज्य तान्।।2.70.6।।
pratigṛhya tu tatsarvaṃ svanuraktaḥ suhṛj-jane | dūtān uvāca bharataḥ kāmaiḥ sampratipūjya tān || 2.70.6 ||
Bharata—deeply affectionate toward his kinsmen and friends—accepted all that had been brought, and then, honoring the messengers in return with gifts of their choosing, addressed them.
Affectionate towards his relatives and friends, Bharata received all those gifts and in return honoured those messengers with things they liked, asking them:
Dharma here is expressed as proper reciprocity and respect: Bharata accepts what is offered and then honors the messengers appropriately, maintaining social and moral order through gratitude and fair return.
After receiving items or messages delivered by emissaries, Bharata rewards them according to their wishes and then begins questioning them about the royal household.
Affectionate loyalty and courteous conduct—Bharata’s considerate honoring of others (including subordinates like messengers) reflects restraint, nobility, and adherence to established etiquette (maryādā).