Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 10
दूत-नीति, शुक-प्रसङ्गः
Envoy-Ethics and the Episode of Śuka
त्वंवैमहाराजकुलप्रसूतोमहाबलश्चर् क्षरजस्सुतश्च ।नकश्चिदार्थस्तवनास्त्यनर्थस्तथाहिमेभ्रातृसमोहरीश ।।।।
tvaṃ vai mahārāja-kula-prasūto mahā-balaś carkṣa-rajas-sutaś ca | na kaścid arthaḥ tava nāsty anarthaḥ tathā hi me bhrātṛ-samo harīśa ||
إنك حقًّا مولود من سلالةٍ ملكيّة، عظيمُ البأس، وأنت ابنُ رِكشاراجاس (Ṛkṣarajas). لا منفعةَ فاتتك، ولا أذًى أصابك منّي؛ فأنت عندي كالأخ، يا سيّدَ الفانارات.
"O Sugriva, king of Vanaras! You are born in a race of eminent kings, a mighty son of Rksharaja. Even a little harm has not been done to you by me. I am like your brother (Ravana's words to Sugriva to be communicated by Suka)."
FAQs
The verse highlights the tension between satya and persuasive speech: flattering claims of ‘no harm’ can be adharma when used to obscure wrongdoing and weaken righteous alliance.
Rāvaṇa attempts to sway Sugrīva through a messenger, using praise and a claim of friendly intent to detach him from Rāma’s cause.
By contrast, discernment (viveka) is demanded of the listener—recognizing manipulation despite courteous language.