Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 30
शरणागति
धर्मनिर्णयः (Decision on Refuge and Dharma) / Rama’s Vow of Protection and the Acceptance of Vibhishana
एवंदोषोमहानत्रप्रपन्नानामरक्षणे ।अस्वर्ग्यंचायशस्यंचबलवीर्यविनाशनम् ।।।।
evaṃ doṣo mahān atra prapannānām arakṣaṇe |
asvargyaṃ cāyaśasyaṃ ca balavīryavināśanam ||
इस प्रकार शरणागतों की रक्षा न करना यहाँ महान दोष है; यह स्वर्ग से वंचित करता है, अपयश देता है और बल-वीर्य का नाश करता है।
"One who resorts to failure in protecting a refugee, will be doing a great sin that way and will be shut out of heaven, be infamy and his strength and virility will be lost."
FAQs
Protecting the surrendered (śaraṇāgata/prapanna) is a binding duty; neglecting it is a serious moral failure with spiritual and social consequences.
Rāma is justifying why Vibhīṣaṇa (as a suppliant) must be protected and not abandoned.
Rāma’s commitment to rajadharma—seeing protection of the vulnerable as central to righteous rule and personal honor.