Shloka 5.52.7

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

Devanagari script

धर्मज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च राजधर्मविशारदः।परावरज्ञो भूतानां त्वमेव परमार्थवित्।।।।

Transliteration

tasmāt prasīda śatrughna rākṣasendra durāsada |

yuktāyuktaṃ viniścitya dūtadaṇḍo vidhīyatām ||

Translation

Therefore be calm, O slayer of foes, O rākṣasa-king hard to assail. After judging what is proper and improper, let an appropriate penalty for the envoy be decided.

Context

"You are conversant with dharma of a king. You have a sense of gratitude. You are a knower of right and wrong of all beings. the supeme truth.

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• dūta (envoy/messenger)

FAQs

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

Justice must be deliberative and proportionate: punishment should follow careful discrimination of what is right and wrong, not personal fury.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa proposes a lawful, measured response to Hanumān’s role as messenger rather than execution.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fair-minded governance—Vibhīṣaṇa promotes due process and ethical statecraft.