Shloka 6.18.19
शरणागति-धर्मनिर्णयः (Decision on Refuge and Dharma) / Rama’s Vow of Protection and the Acceptance of Vibhishana
राक्षसोजिह्मयाबुध्यासन्दिष्टोऽयमिहागतः ।प्रहर्तुंत्वयिविश्वस्तेप्रच्छन्नोमयिवानघ ।।6.18.18।।लक्ष्मणेवामहाबाहो सवध्यस्सचिवैस्सहा ।रावणस्यनृशंसस्यभ्राताह्येषविभीषणः ।।एवमुक्त्वारघुश्रेष्ठंसुग्रीवोवाहिनीपतिः ।वाक्यज्ञोवाक्यकुशलंततोमौनमुपागमत् ।।6.18.19।।
rākṣaso jihmayā buddhyā sandiṣṭo ’yam ihāgataḥ | prahartuṃ tvayi viśvaste pracchanno mayi vā anagha || lakṣmaṇe vā mahābāho sa vadhyaḥ sacivaiḥ saha | rāvaṇasya nṛśaṃsasya bhrātā hy eṣa vibhīṣaṇaḥ || evam uktvā raghuśreṣṭhaṃ sugrīvo vāhinīpatiḥ | vākyajño vākyakuśalaṃ tato maunam upāgamat ||
This rākṣasa has come here, dispatched with crooked intent, to strike—once trust is gained—at you, or at me, or at mighty-armed Lakṣmaṇa, O blameless one. He should be slain along with his counsellors; for this is Vibhīṣaṇa, brother of the cruel Rāvaṇa. Having spoken thus to Rāma, best of the Raghus, Sugrīva—lord of the army, skilled in speech—then fell silent.
"O sinless mightyarmed Rama I believe that this Rakshasa has been sent to come here covertly to strike at you or me or Lakshmana. On knowing that you are here the cruel Ravana's brother has come greedily along with his counsellors to kill you."Sugriva the chief of the army, who was good at speech and adept in expression, having said to Rama, the best among the Raghu race, remained silent thereafter.
In wartime, dharma includes protecting the innocent and the mission through caution; counsel must prioritize collective safety even at the risk of mistrusting a newcomer.
Sugrīva argues that Vibhīṣaṇa is a covert threat sent by Rāvaṇa and urges decisive restraint; after advising, he stops speaking.
Sugrīva’s protective vigilance and rhetorical competence—he warns clearly, then yields the floor to Rāma’s judgment.