Shloka 6.18.8
शरणागति-धर्मनिर्णयः (Decision on Refuge and Dharma) / Rama’s Vow of Protection and the Acceptance of Vibhishana
अनधीत्यचशास्त्राणिवृद्धाननुपसेव्यच ।नशक्यमीदृशंवक्तुंयदुवाचहरीश्वरः ।।।।
asti sūkṣmataraṃ kiṃcid yad atra pratibhāti me | pratyakṣaṃ laukikaṃ cāpi vidyate sarvarājasu ||
Yet in this matter, something even subtler occurs to me—something plainly known in the worldly sphere and found among all kings.
"That which has been spoken by the Lord of monkeys in this way is not possible for one who has not studied sastras or served the elders."
Rajadharma: a ruler must balance moral duty with worldly realities, discerning subtle motives and consequences while remaining anchored in truth.
Rāma transitions from praising counsel to offering a deeper, kingly perspective on how to judge the situation of a potential defector/refugee.
Rāma’s discernment (viveka) and statecraft—he recognizes both ethical ideals and practical patterns ‘among kings’.