Shloka 4.5.18
मैत्रीप्रतिष्ठा (Rama–Sugriva Alliance and Fire-Rite of Friendship)
त्वं वयस्योऽसि मे हृद्यो ह्येकं दुःखं सुखं च नौ4.5.18।।सुग्रीवो राघवं वाक्यमित्युवाच प्रहृष्टवत्।
tatas suprīta-manasau tāv ubhau hari-rāghavau || 4.5.17 ||
anyonyam abhivīkṣantau na tṛptim upajagmatuḥ |
Thereafter, both of them—Sugrīva and Rāghava—delighted at heart, kept gazing at one another and still were not satisfied.
'You are a dear friend to me. Your sorrow is my sorrow, your pleasure is my pleasure. We are one and the same' said Sugriva to Rama, his heart overflowing with happiness.
Dharma in relationships includes sincere regard: the bond is not transactional; mutual trust and affection deepen the moral force of their alliance.
After the fire-rite, both leaders experience relief and joy, confirming the alliance through warm, sustained mutual attention.
Affectionate loyalty: their inability to feel ‘enough’ of seeing each other signals genuine acceptance and trust.