Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 13
दूत-नीति, शुक-प्रसङ्गः
Envoy-Ethics and the Episode of Śuka
सतथाराक्षसेन्द्रेणसन्दिष्टोरजनीचरः ।शुकोविहङ्गमोभूत्वातूर्णमाप्लुत्यचाम्बरम् ।।।।
sa tathā rākṣasendreṇa sandiṣṭo rajanīcaraḥ | śuko vihaṅgamo bhūtvā tūrṇam āplutya cāmbaram ||
So vom Herrn der Rākṣasas angewiesen, verwandelte sich der nächtliche Wanderer Śuka in einen Vogel und sprang eilends empor in den Himmel.
Thus, commanded by the ruler of Rakshasas, Suka immediately transformed into a bird form and rose apace into the sky.
FAQs
Narratively, it frames how conflict unfolds through messengers and strategy; ethically, it sets up later questions about how envoys should be treated under dharma.
Śuka, tasked with delivering Rāvaṇa’s message, uses transformation to travel swiftly toward the opposing camp.
Efficiency and obedience to command (though employed in service of an adharmic ruler).