Shloka 5.37.9
हनूमत्सीतासंवादः — Hanuman’s Offer of Rescue and Sita’s Dharmic Refusal
विभीषणेन च भ्रात्रा मम निर्यातनं प्रति।अनुनीतः प्रयत्नेन न च तत्कुरुते मतिम्।।।।
vibhīṣaṇena ca bhrātrā mama niryātanaṁ prati |
anunītaḥ prayatnena na ca tat kurute matim ||
And his brother Vibhīṣaṇa earnestly and gently urged him toward my release; yet he does not set his mind upon that course.
"Vibhisana made efforts to advise Ravana for my restoration. But Ravana has not agreed to that.
Right counsel is part of dharma, but dharma also recognizes agency: even good advice (Vibhīṣaṇa’s) fails if the wrongdoer refuses to reform.
Sītā reports that Vibhīṣaṇa attempted to persuade Rāvaṇa to release her, but Rāvaṇa remained unmoved.
Vibhīṣaṇa’s righteousness and compassion: he advocates release and restraint even within an adharmic court.