Shloka 5.52.1

दूतधर्म-परामर्शः (Envoy-Immunity and Royal Counsel in Ravana’s Court)

Devanagari script

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा वानरस्य महात्मनः।आज्ञापयद्वधं तस्य रावणः क्रोधमूर्छितः।।।।

Transliteration

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā vānarasya mahātmanaḥ |

ājñāpayad vadhaṁ tasya rāvaṇaḥ krodhamūrchitaḥ ||

Translation

Hearing the words of that great-souled Vānara (Hanumān), Rāvaṇa—overpowered by anger—commanded that he be put to death.

Context

Hearing the great vanara's speech, Ravana overwhelmed with anger ordered the execution of Hanuman.

Characters & Entities

• Hanumān
• Rāvaṇa
• Laṅkā (implied court setting)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights adharma through uncontrolled anger: a ruler’s judgment becomes unjust when driven by rage rather than dharma-based deliberation.

What is the narrative situation?

After Hanumān speaks in Rāvaṇa’s court, Rāvaṇa reacts furiously and orders his execution.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast (implicitly), the needed virtue is self-restraint (dama/kṣamā) in governance—shown here by its absence in Rāvaṇa.