Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 18
दूत-नीति, शुक-प्रसङ्गः
Envoy-Ethics and the Episode of Śuka
यस्तुहित्वामतंभर्तुस्स्वमतंसम्प्रभाषते ।अनुक्तवादीदूतस्सन् सदूतोवधमर्हति ।।।।
yas tu hitvā mataṃ bhartuḥ svamataṃ samprabhāṣate |
anuktavādī dūtas san sa dūto vadham arhati ||
“But an envoy who sets aside his lord’s intent and speaks out his own view—uttering what the king did not authorize—such a ‘messenger’ deserves punishment by death.”
After hearing the appeal of Suka and seeing the monkeys shouting, Rama spoke indicating not to kill him.
FAQs
The dharma of an envoy is fidelity and truthful transmission: he must not distort, add, or substitute personal opinions for the ruler’s authorized message.
Śuka refines the rule: messenger-immunity applies to a proper envoy, not to one who speaks beyond mandate.
Integrity in communication—satya as accurate reporting and disciplined speech.