Shloka 6.87.20

न्यग्रोध-प्रवेश-निवारणम् (Preventing Indrajit’s Banyan-Tree Rite) / Indrajit Confronts Vibhishana

Devanagari script

न रमेदारुणेनाहं न चाधर्मेणवैरमे ।।6.87.20।।भ्रात्राविषशीलोऽपिकथंभ्रातानिरस्यते ।

Transliteration

dharmāt pracyutaśīlaṃ hi puruṣaṃ pāpaniścayam || 6.87.21 || tyaktvā sukham avāpnoti hastād āśīviṣaṃ yathā |

Translation

Indeed, by abandoning a man whose character has fallen away from dharma and who is resolved upon sin, one attains well-being—like shaking a venomous serpent off one’s hand.

Context

"I do not delight in cruel deeds, nor follow unrighteousness. Or else because of unfavourable disposition how can a brother be expelled by a brother?"

Characters & Entities

• Vibhīṣaṇa
• Indrajit (Meghanāda)
• Rāvaṇa (implied as dharma-deviant)

FAQs

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

One should renounce association with those who have fallen from dharma and are committed to sin; moral separation is protective and purifying.

What is the narrative situation?

Vibhīṣaṇa justifies his break from Ravana’s camp by framing it as leaving a dharma-deviant, dangerous association.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viveka (discernment) and moral courage—the willingness to detach from harmful bonds for the sake of dharma.