Shloka 6.18.11
शरणागति-धर्मनिर्णयः (Decision on Refuge and Dharma) / Rama’s Vow of Protection and the Acceptance of Vibhishana
अपापास्तत्कुलीनाश्चमानयन्तिस्वकान्हितान् ।एषप्रायोनरेन्द्राणांशङ्कनीयस्तुशोभनः ।।।।
mamāpi tu vivakṣā ’sti kācit prati vibhīṣaṇam | śrotum icchāmi tat sarvaṃ bhavadbhiḥ śreyasi sthitaiḥ ||
I too wish to speak a few words concerning Vibhīṣaṇa. I want all of you—who stand for my welfare—to listen fully to everything I say.
"The sinless ones respect the kings of their clan as friendly ones. But by and large such kings also do not believe the virtuous ones among the kings."
Responsible leadership: before acting, a righteous leader speaks openly and invites attentive hearing from well-wishers, aligning decisions with dharma rather than impulse.
Vibhīṣaṇa has approached Rāma’s camp, and Rāma signals that he will state his view and wants his allies to hear it fully.
Rāma’s deliberative fairness—he consults and clarifies his intent before making a consequential decision.