Valmiki Ramayana Ayodhya Kanda Sarga 1 Shloka 19

श्रेष्ठै: excellent, गुणैः with qualities, युक्तः bestowed with, सः he, पार्थिवात्मजः king's son, प्रजानाम् for his subjects, गुणतः by his virtues, प्रियः favourite one, बहिश्चरः exterior, प्राणः इव like vital life, बभूव became.

Bestowed with such excellent qualities, the prince (Rama) became a favourite of his subjects. He was like their vital life outside their bodies.