Shloka 5.52.3

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

Devanagari script

तं रक्षोधिपतिं क्रुद्धं तच्च कार्यमुपस्थितम्।विदित्वा चिन्तयामास कार्यं कार्यविधौ स्थितः।।।।

Transliteration

kṣamasva roṣaṃ tyaja rākṣasendra prasīda madvākyam idaṃ śṛṇuṣva |

vadhaṃ na kurvanti parāvarajñā dūtasya santo vasudhādhipendrāḥ ||

Translation

“Forgive this anger and cast it aside, O lord of the rākṣasas; be calm and listen to my words. Noble kings, who know right from wrong, do not put an envoy to death.”

Context

Vibhishana who stood by the right course of action, having realised that the lord of demons was angry pondered over his duty.

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• dūta (envoy/messenger)
• kings (vasudhādhipa)

FAQs

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

Rājadharma forbids killing a messenger; even in hostility, ethical rules of diplomacy protect envoys.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān, acting as Rāma’s messenger, has been captured; Rāvaṇa’s anger rises, and Vibhīṣaṇa intervenes to prevent execution.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vibhīṣaṇa’s commitment to dharma and truthful counsel, prioritizing ethical governance over vengeance.