Shloka 17
अभिज्ञानवृत्तान्त-प्रत्यायनम्
Token of Recognition and the Crow–Brahmāstra Episode
राम त्वां स नमस्कृत्य राज्ञे दशरथाय च।।।।विसृष्टस्तु तदा काक प्रतिपेदे स्वमालयम्।
rāma tvāṃ sa namaskṛtya rājñe daśarathāya ca | visṛṣṭas tu tadā kākaḥ pratipede svam ālayam |
Da wurde die Krähe, lebend freigelassen, vor dir, o Rāma, und auch vor König Daśaratha ehrerbietig, und kehrte in ihre eigene Wohnstatt zurück.
'Thereafter that crow left without killing offered salutations to you and king Dasaratha and returned to his abode.
FAQs
Mercy that follows surrender should lead to transformation: the spared offender responds with humility and respect, acknowledging righteous authority.
After being punished but spared, the crow salutes Rāma and Daśaratha and departs—closing the episode cited by Sītā as proof of Rāma’s character.
Rāma’s balanced kingship: punishment without vindictiveness, and protection without weakness.