Shloka 4.5.14
मैत्रीप्रतिष्ठा (Rama–Sugriva Alliance and Fire-Rite of Friendship)
ततो हनूमान्सन्त्यज्य भिक्षुरूपमरिन्दमः।।4.5.14।।काष्ठयोस्स्वेन रूपेण जनयामास पावकम्।दीप्यमानं ततो वह्निं ह्निं पुष्पैरभ्यर्च्य सत्कृतम्4.5.15।।तयोर्मध्येऽथ सुप्रीतो निदधे सुसमाहितः।
etat tu vacanaṁ śrutvā sugrīveṇa subhāṣitam |
samprahṛṣṭa-manā hastaṁ pīḍayāmāsa pāṇinā || 4.5.13 ||
hṛdyaṁ sauhṛdam ālambya paryaṣvajata pīḍitam |
Hearing Sugrīva’s well-spoken words, Rāma, his heart brimming with joy, clasped Sugrīva’s hand in his own; cherishing that heartfelt goodwill, he drew near and embraced him firmly.
Then, Hanuman vanquisher of enemies, gave up his guise of a mendicant, assumed his natural form and generated fire by rubbing two pieces of wood. Well-pleased at heart, he made an offering of flowers to the flaming fire and placed it between them.
Dharma is shown through sincere reciprocity: Rāma responds to offered friendship with transparent goodwill, making the alliance morally grounded rather than opportunistic.
Rāma accepts Sugrīva’s proposal of friendship, sealing it through handclasp and embrace—visible signs of mutual trust.
Rāma’s capacity for loyal friendship (sauhṛda) and his readiness to bind himself to a righteous commitment.