Shloka 4.10.31
सुग्रीवस्य वैरानुकथनम् (Sugriva’s Account of Enmity and Appeal to Rama)
एवमुक्तस्स तेजस्वी धर्मज्ञो धर्मसंहितम्।वचनं वक्तुमारेभे सुग्रीवं प्रहसन्निव।।
evam uktas sa tejasvī dharmajño dharmasaṃhitam | vacanaṃ vaktum ārebhe sugrīvaṃ prahasann iva ||
Thus addressed, the glorious Rāma—knower of dharma—began to speak to Sugrīva words aligned with righteousness, as though with a gentle smile.
Having thus addressed by Sugriva the righteous and glorious Rama with a gentle smile consistent with righteousness, started speaking:
Dharma is expressed through speech that is both truthful and beneficial; righteous leadership begins with measured, principled words.
After hearing Sugrīva’s plea, Rāma prepares to respond, and the narrator frames his reply as dharma-consistent.
Rāma’s calm moral clarity: he responds without agitation, guiding action through dharmic counsel.