Shloka 6.18.38

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

Devanagari script

ततस्तुसुग्रीववचोनिशम्यतद्दरीश्वरेणाभिहितंनरेश्वरः ।विभीषणेनाशुजगामसङ्गमंपतत्त्रिराजेनयथापुरन्दरः ।।।।

Transliteration

tatas tu sugrīvavaco niśamya tad darīśvareṇābhihitaṃ nareśvaraḥ |

vibhīṣaṇenāśu jagāma saṅgamaṃ patattrirājena yathā purandaraḥ ||

Translation

Then the king of men, hearing Sugrīva’s fitting words, quickly went to meet Vibhīṣaṇa—like Purandara (Indra) going to meet the king of birds.

Context

Perceiving Sugriva's befitting words, king Rama went to meet Vibheeshana like Indra arranged to meet with the king of birds.।। इत्यार्षेवाल्मीकीयेश्रीमद्रामायणेआदिकाव्येयुद्धकाण्डेअष्टादशस्सर्गः ।।This is the end of the eighteenth sarga of Yuddha Kanda of the first epic the holy Ramayana composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sugrīva
• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Purandara (Indra)
• Patattrirāja (King of Birds, Garuḍa)

FAQs

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

Dharma moves from declaration to action: righteous intent is completed by promptly honoring refuge and meeting the suppliant without delay.

What is the narrative situation?

After Sugrīva’s supportive counsel, Rāma proceeds to meet Vibhīṣaṇa, formalizing acceptance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Decisiveness aligned with righteousness—Rāma acts swiftly once dharma is clear.