Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 5
दूतधर्म-परामर्शः
Envoy-Immunity and Royal Counsel in Ravana’s Court
क्षमस्व रोषं त्यज राक्षसेन्द्र प्रसीद मद्वाक्यमिदं शृणुष्व।वधं न कुर्वन्ति परावरज्ञा दूतस्य सन्तो वसुधाधिपेन्द्राः।।।।
kṣamasva roṣaṃ tyaja rākṣasendra prasīda madvākyam idaṃ śṛṇuṣva |
vadhaṃ na kurvanti parāvarajñā dūtasya santo vasudhādhipendrāḥ ||
“Wahai raja para raksasa! Ampunilah amarah ini dan tinggalkanlah; tenangkanlah diri dan dengarkan ucapanku. Raja-raja mulia, yang mengetahui dharma dan adharma, tidak membunuh seorang duta.”
Vibhishana who stood by the right course of action, having realised that the lord of demons was angry pondered over his duty.
FAQs
Rājadharma forbids killing a messenger; even in hostility, ethical rules of diplomacy protect envoys.
Hanumān, acting as Rāma’s messenger, has been captured; Rāvaṇa’s anger rises, and Vibhīṣaṇa intervenes to prevent execution.
Vibhīṣaṇa’s commitment to dharma and truthful counsel, prioritizing ethical governance over vengeance.