Shloka 1.48.32
अहल्याशापवर्णनम् (The Account of Ahalyā’s Curse and the Deserted Hermitage near Mithilā)
तस्यातिथ्येन दुर्वुत्ते लोभमोहविवर्जिता।।।।मत्सकाशे मुदा युक्ता स्वं वपुर्धारयिष्यसि।
imau kumārau bhadraṃ te devatulya-parākramau |
gaja-siṃha-gatī vīrau śārdūla-vṛṣabhopamau || 1.48.2 ||
padma-patra-viśālākṣau khaḍga-tūṇī dhanur-dharau |
aśvināv iva rūpeṇa samupasthita-yauvanau || 1.48.3 ||
yadṛcchayaiva gāṃ prāptau deva-lokād ivāmarau |
kathaṃ padbhyām iha prāptau kimarthaṃ kasya vā mune || 1.48.4 ||
Blessings upon you, O sage. Who are these two youths, possessed of prowess like the gods—heroic, moving with the gait of an elephant or a lion, resembling a tiger and a bull? Their eyes are wide like lotus petals; they bear swords, quivers, and bows; in beauty they are like the Aśvins, standing in the fullness of youth. They seem to have come to earth of their own accord, as if immortals from heaven. How have they arrived here on foot, for what purpose, and whose sons are they, O sage?
'O Wicked-natured one! by offering hospitality to Rama, without covetousness and passion, you will happily live with me by regaining your present form'.
Dharma appears as respectful speech and proper inquiry: the speaker begins with auspicious blessing and asks questions with deference to a sage, honoring social and spiritual hierarchy.
An ascetic/observer sees two extraordinary princes (Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa) accompanying Viśvāmitra and asks who they are, why they have come, and how they arrived.
The princes’ exemplary qualities—strength, beauty, composure, and readiness (weapons borne responsibly)—suggest kṣatriya virtue aligned with dharma.