Shloka 4.12.38
द्वादशः सर्गः — Rama’s Proof of Power, the First Duel, and the Identification Mark (Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 12)
अभिज्ञानं कुरुष्व त्वमात्मनो वानरेश्वर।येन त्वामभिजानीयां द्वन्द्वयुद्धमुपागतम्4.12.38।।
abhijñānaṃ kuruṣva tvam ātmano vānarēśvara |
yena tvām abhijānīyāṃ dvandvayuddham upāgatam ||
O lord of monkeys, place upon yourself a clear sign of recognition, so that I may distinguish you when you have entered the duel.
'O lord of monkeys! while you both are engaged in a duel wear some identification mark by which I can recognise you.
Dharma here is careful discrimination (viveka) before decisive action—ensuring that force is applied only to the proper target and not against one’s ally.
Rāma anticipates the confusion of a close-quarters duel between similar-looking brothers and instructs Sugrīva to wear an identifying mark.
Rāma’s prudence and responsibility: he plans to prevent mistaken harm while keeping his promise.