Shloka 6.114.98
रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः — Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct
अधर्मानृतसंयुक्तःकामंत्वेषनिशाचरः ।।।।तेजस्वीबलवान् शूरःसङ्ग्रामेषु च नित्यशः ।
adharmānṛtasaṃyuktaḥ kāmaṃ tv eṣa niśācaraḥ |
tejasvī balavān śūraḥ saṅgrāmeṣu ca nityaśaḥ ||
Granted, this night-roamer was steeped in adharma and falsehood; yet he was radiant, strong, and ever a hero in battle.
"This nightranger is full of unrighteousness and untrue. But he was a strong, energetic hero in combat."
Satya (truthfulness) in judgment: even when condemning adharma, one should not deny factual excellence such as courage and strength. Dharma includes fairness, even toward an enemy.
Rāma responds to Vibhīṣaṇa’s condemnation of Rāvaṇa by acknowledging both his moral faults and his martial prowess.
Rāma’s impartial truthfulness—he can recognize valor without endorsing wrongdoing.