Shloka 5.52.15

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

Devanagari script

वैरूप्यमङ्गेषु कशाभिघातो मौण्ड्यं तथा लक्षणसन्निपातः।एतान् हि दूते प्रवदन्ति दण्डान् वधस्तु दूतस्य न नः श्रुतोऽस्ति।।।।

Transliteration

vairūpyam aṅgeṣu kaśābhighāto mauṇḍyaṁ tathā lakṣaṇasannipātaḥ |

etān hi dūte pravadanti daṇḍān vadhas tu dūtasya na naḥ śruto 'sti ||

Translation

Deforming the limbs, flogging, shaving the head, and disfiguring marks—such penalties are indeed prescribed for an envoy; but the killing of a messenger is something we have never heard sanctioned.

Context

"Mutilation of limbs, flogging, shaving of the head, and deforming limbs etc. these punishments have been prescribed for an emissary. Never has killing of an emissary been heard.

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• Dūta (emissary)

FAQs

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

Legal restraint in punishment: dharma protects diplomatic channels by forbidding execution of envoys, allowing only non-lethal penalties within recognized tradition.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa lists customary punishments to redirect Rāvaṇa away from executing Hanumān.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Knowledge of rāja-nīti and tradition (śāstra-smṛti awareness), used to uphold dharma under pressure.