Shloka 5.58.147

सुन्दरकाण्डे अष्टपञ्चाशः सर्गः — हनुमद्वृत्तान्तकथनम्, सीताभिज्ञान-प्रदानम्, लङ्कादाह-वर्णनम्

Devanagari script

दूतवध्या न दृष्टा हि राजशास्त्रेषु राक्षस।दूतेन वेदितव्यं च यथार्थं हितवादिना।।।।

Transliteration

dūtavadhyā na dṛṣṭā hi rājaśāstreṣu rākṣasa | dūtena veditavyaṃ ca yathārthaṃ hitavādinā ||

Translation

“O Rākṣasa, the royal treatises do not sanction the killing of an envoy. A messenger who seeks the other’s good must be allowed to state the truth as it is.”

Context

'The royal code prohibits the murder of an emissary. A well-wishing emissary should convey the truth.

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rāvaṇa
• Dūta (envoy/messenger)
• Rājaśāstra

FAQs

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

Envoy-immunity as dharma and nīti: even enemies must respect the protected status of a messenger, and truth-speaking (satya) must be heard.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa argues from royal law that Hanumān, as an envoy, should not be executed.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respect for satya and lawful procedure, embodied by Vibhīṣaṇa.