Shloka 52
सूर्य–कर्णोपदेशः
Sūrya’s Counsel to Karṇa on Kīrti and the Kuṇḍala
ततस्तौ रावणामात्यौ मन्त्रिणौ शुकसारणौ । चरौ वानररूपेण तौ जग्राह विभीषण:,उस सेनामें वानरोंका रूप घारण करके रावणके दो मन्त्री शुक और सारण गुप्तचरका काम करनेके लिये घुस आये थे। विभीषणने उन दोनोंको पहचानकर कैद कर लिया
tatastau rāvaṇāmātyau mantriṇau śukasāraṇau | carau vānararūpeṇa tau jagrāha vibhīṣaṇaḥ ||
Then those two ministers of Rāvaṇa—Śuka and Sāraṇa—entered as spies, having assumed the guise of monkeys. Vibhīṣaṇa recognized them and seized them. The episode highlights the ethical tension in warfare: intelligence-gathering through disguise is a common stratagem, yet the opposing side is equally justified in detecting and restraining infiltrators, especially when the aim is to protect the army and prevent harm.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, where deception and espionage may be employed as strategy, responsibility to protect one’s side remains paramount; identifying and restraining infiltrators is presented as a legitimate act of safeguarding dharma and preventing harm.
Rāvaṇa’s two ministers, Śuka and Sāraṇa, enter the opposing camp disguised as monkeys to spy. Vibhīṣaṇa recognizes them despite the disguise and captures them.