Shloka 6.18.29

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

Devanagari script

विनष्टःपश्यतस्तस्यारक्षिणश्शरणागतः ।आदायसुकृतंतस्यसर्वंगच्छेदरक्षित:।। ।।

Transliteration

vinaṣṭaḥ paśyatas tasyārakṣiṇaḥ śaraṇāgataḥ | ādāya sukṛtaṃ tasya sarvaṃ gacched arakṣitaḥ || 6.18.29 ||

Translation

If a refuge-seeker is left unprotected before his very eyes, the failed protector is disgraced and ruined; and the unprotected one departs taking away all of his merit.

Context

"One who fails to protect a refugee who seeks protection from him is ruined in the eyes of the refugee and he takes away all the merit."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sugrīva
• śaraṇāgata (refuge-seeker)
• sukṛta (merit)

FAQs

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

Failing to protect a surrendered person destroys one’s dharmic merit (sukṛta) and moral standing; protection is a binding obligation.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma articulates the spiritual and social cost of refusing refuge, closing the ethical argument with consequences.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reliability as a protector—being worthy of trust by safeguarding those who depend on one’s shelter.