Shloka 6.24.17
लङ्कानिरीक्षणं व्यूहविन्यासश्च (Survey of Lanka and Deployment of the Battle Formation)
मूर्ध्निस्थास्याम्यहंयुक्तोलक्ष्मणेनसमन्वितः ।जाम्बवांश्चसुषेणश्चवेगदर्शीचवानरः ।।।।ऋक्षमुख्यामहात्मानःकुक्षिंरक्षन्तुतेत्रयः ।
mūrdhni sthāsyāmy ahaṁ yukto lakṣmaṇena samanvitaḥ | jāmbavāṁś ca suṣēṇaś ca vegadarśī ca vānaraḥ || ṛkṣamukhyā mahātmānaḥ kukṣiṁ rakṣantu te trayaḥ ||
I myself, fully prepared and together with Lakṣmaṇa, will stand at the head. Let Jāmbavān, Suṣeṇa, and Vegadarśin—the great bear-chiefs—guard the army’s middle ranks.
"I and Lakshmana will be alert at the head side. Let Jambavan Sushena and the three chiefs of Bears who are strong and quick at sighting remain protecting the belly of the army."
Dharma of the leader: Rāma takes the foremost risk by standing at the head, while assigning trusted protectors to secure the formation—duty shared according to capacity.
Rāma declares his own position with Lakṣmaṇa at the vanguard and appoints bear-leaders to protect the army’s central body.
Rāma’s responsible leadership and Lakṣmaṇa’s loyal readiness; the bear-chiefs’ vigilance and protective strength.