Shloka 6.18.21

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

Devanagari script

सुदुष्टोवाप्यदुष्टोवाकिमेषरजनीचरः ।सूक्ष्ममप्यहितंकर्तुंममाशक्तःकथञ्चन ।।।।

Transliteration

suduṣṭo vāpy aduṣṭo vā kim eṣa rajanīcaraḥ | sūkṣmam apy ahitaṃ kartuṃ mamāśaktaḥ kathañcana || 6.18.21 ||

Translation

Wicked or not—what is this night-roamer to me? How could he ever be capable of doing even the slightest harm to me?

Context

"Whether this night ranger is wicked or not wicked, is he capable of doing even subtlest harm to me?"

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sugrīva
• rajanīcara (rākṣasa/night-roamer)

FAQs

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

Dharma is not driven by fear: Rāma frames the issue beyond personal threat, preparing the ground for a principled stance rather than a fearful reaction.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma responds to concerns about a rākṣasa, asserting that the figure is no real danger to him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Courage and inner steadiness—Rāma shows that his decisions are not dictated by personal insecurity.