Shloka 6.18.14

शरणागति-धर्मनिर्णयः (Decision on Refuge and Dharma) / Rama’s Vow of Protection and the Acceptance of Vibhishana

Devanagari script

अव्यग्राश्चप्रहृष्टाश्चनभविष्यन्तिसङ्गता ।प्रणादश्चमहानेषततोऽस्यभयमागतम् ।।।।इतिभेदंगमिष्यन्तितस्माग्राह्योविभीषणः ।

Transliteration

na vayaṃ tatkulīnāś ca rājyakāṅkṣī ca rākṣasaḥ | paṇḍitā hi bhaviṣyanti tasmād grāhyo vibhīṣaṇaḥ ||

Translation

We are not of that clan, and not every rākṣasa longs for sovereignty; among them too there can be discerning and learned souls. Therefore Vibhīṣaṇa should be accepted.

Context

"Kinsmen will not be satisfied with one another and are not free from anxiety. That way they will not be together. Vibheeshana who has come out of fear in this way crying loudly for help and is worthy to accept."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

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

Non-prejudicial discernment: dharma requires judging a person by conduct and wisdom, not merely by birth or affiliation with an enemy group.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma counters fears that Vibhīṣaṇa must be acting from ambition or deceit, asserting that virtue and learning can exist even among rākṣasas.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fair-mindedness (nyāya): openness to the possibility of goodness in the ‘other’ and willingness to accept sincere alliance.