Shloka 23

शरणागति

धर्मनिर्णयः (Decision on Refuge and Dharma) / Rama’s Vow of Protection and the Acceptance of Vibhishana

Devanagari script

श्रूयतेहिकपोतेनशत्रुश्शरणमागतः ।अर्चितश्चयथान्यायंस्वैश्चमांसैर्निमन्त्रितः ।।।।

Transliteration

śrūyate hi kapotena śatruḥ śaraṇam āgataḥ | arcitaś ca yathānyāyaṃ svaiś ca māṃsair nimantritaḥ || 6.18.23 ||

Translation

Denn man hört, dass eine Taube, als ein Feind um Zuflucht kam, ihn nach rechtem Brauch ehrte und ihm sogar ihr eigenes Fleisch darbot.

Word by Word

श्रूयतेis heard

हिindeed, for

कपोतेनby a dove

शत्रुःan enemy

शरणम्refuge

आगतःhas come

अर्चितःwas honoured

चand

यथा-न्यायम्according to proper custom

स्वैःwith his own

चand

मांसैःwith flesh

निमन्त्रितःwas invited

Context

"You have heard of the (story of a) dove that offered his own flesh to an enemy who came to seek protection according to tradition (of hospitality)."

Characters & Entities

Rāma

Sugrīva

śatru (enemy)

śaraṇa (refuge)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Śaraṇāgati-dharma: one who seeks refuge is to be honored and protected, even if formerly an enemy.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma introduces a traditional moral exemplar (the dove) to justify a policy of protecting the one who comes seeking refuge.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Compassion joined with unwavering adherence to righteous custom.