Shloka 6.18.15
शरणागति-धर्मनिर्णयः (Decision on Refuge and Dharma) / Rama’s Vow of Protection and the Acceptance of Vibhishana
नसर्वेभ्रातरस्तातभवन्तिभरतोपमाः ।मद्विथावापितुःपुत्रास्सुहृदोनाभवद्विथाः ।।।।
avyagrāś ca prahṛṣṭāś ca na bhaviṣyanti saṅgatāḥ | praṇādaś ca mahān eṣa tato ’sya bhayam āgatam || iti bhedaṃ gamiṣyanti tasmād grāhyo vibhīṣaṇaḥ ||
They will not remain united—free of anxiety and content—together. This great outcry shows that fear has come upon him; thus a breach has arisen among them. Therefore Vibhīṣaṇa is to be accepted.
"O dear All brothers cannot be like Bharata, all sons will not be like me, or all friends like you."
Dharma uses both compassion and clear observation: when a person breaks from adharma and seeks safety, one should recognize sincerity through context and accept refuge.
Rāma interprets Vibhīṣaṇa’s fearful, urgent approach as evidence of division within Rāvaṇa’s side and argues for accepting him.
Strategic discernment joined with mercy—Rāma weighs human signs and political realities without abandoning righteousness.