Abhaya is fearlessness, and specifically the fearlessness a shelter-giver grants. Rāma’s abhayaṁ sarva-bhūtābhyaḥ dadāmy etad vrataṁ mama makes it a vow rather than a favour: whoever once says “I am Yours” is given safety from all beings. Pages here that treat abhaya and śaraṇāgati.
