Shloka 5.38.34
अभिज्ञानप्रदानम् — The Token of Recognition (Chūḍāmaṇi) and the Crow Episode Recalled
स तं निपतितं भूमौ शरण्यश्शरणागतम्।।5.38.34।।वधार्हमपि काकुत्स्थ: कृपया पर्यपालयत्।
sa taṃ nipatitaṃ bhūmau śaraṇyaḥ śaraṇāgatam || 5.38.34 ||
vadhārham api kākutsthaḥ kṛpayā paryapālayat |
But Kakutstha—protector of those who seek refuge—saw him fallen on the ground as a supplicant, and though he deserved death, preserved him out of compassion.
'Seeing the crow fallen on the ground, O Kakutstha, you who are a saviour of those who seek refuge saved him out of compassion, even though he deserved to be killed.
Śaraṇāgata-rakṣaṇa (protecting one who surrenders) is upheld as a higher dharma—even when the surrendered party is guilty.
The crow finally falls at Rāma’s feet; Rāma restrains full punishment and grants protection with a measured consequence.
Rāma’s compassion guided by dharma: justice is not abandoned, but it is tempered by mercy toward a surrendered offender.