निमित्तदर्शनम्
Portents Before the March to Laṅkā
इत्येवमुक्त्वाधर्मात्माधनवीसङ्ग्रामहर्षणः ।प्रतस्थेपुरतोरामोलङ्कामभिमुखोविभुः ।।6.23.14।।
ity evam uktvā dharmātmā dhanvī saṅgrāmaharṣaṇaḥ | pratasthē purato rāmo laṅkām abhimukho vibhuḥ ||
Setelah berkata demikian, Rāma yang berjiwa dharma—dengan busur di tangan, menggetarkan medan perang—pun berangkat di hadapan, menghadap ke Laṅkā; Sang Perkasa memimpin perjalanan.
"Lakshmana! Arrange a place in this forest where there is cool water and fruits for the battalions of the army, we shall remain (alert)."
Dharma is leadership by example: Rama, described as dharmātmā, goes first, embodying courage and responsibility rather than pushing others ahead.
Rama concludes his instructions and personally leads the march toward Laṅkā, bow ready, at the head of the host.
Courage and moral authority—Rama’s righteous character legitimizes his martial action.