Shloka 6.18.26

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

Devanagari script

बद्धाञ्जलिपुटंदीनंयाचन्तंशरणागतम् ।नहन्यदानृशंस्यार्थमपिशत्रुंपरन्तप ।।।।

Transliteration

baddhāñjalipuṭaṃ dīnaṃ yācantaṃ śaraṇāgatam | na hanyād ānṛśaṃsyārtham api śatruṃ parantapa || 6.18.26 ||

Translation

O scorcher of foes, one should not kill—even an enemy—who comes seeking refuge, pitiably begging with hands folded, for the sake of non-cruelty.

Context

"O scorcher of enemies To one who greets reverentially with folded hands and begs for protection, we should not be cruel, and he is not to be killed."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sugrīva
• parantapa (epithet used in the cited maxim)
• śaraṇāgata (refuge-seeker)
• śatru (enemy)

FAQs

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

Śaraṇāgati-dharma: the refuge-seeker is inviolable; compassion (ānṛśaṃsya) forbids killing even a former enemy who surrenders.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma cites an ancient maxim to justify protecting a surrendering opponent in the midst of wartime decision-making.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Mercy governed by principle—compassion is treated as a duty, not a weakness.