Ramayana — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 15
दूतधर्म-परामर्शः
Envoy-Immunity and Royal Counsel in Ravana’s Court
वैरूप्यमङ्गेषु कशाभिघातो मौण्ड्यं तथा लक्षणसन्निपातः।एतान् हि दूते प्रवदन्ति दण्डान् वधस्तु दूतस्य न नः श्रुतोऽस्ति।।।।
vairūpyam aṅgeṣu kaśābhighāto mauṇḍyaṁ tathā lakṣaṇasannipātaḥ |
etān hi dūte pravadanti daṇḍān vadhas tu dūtasya na naḥ śruto 'sti ||
手足の切断、鞭打ち、剃髪、そして烙印。これらは使者に対する罰として定められていますが、使者を殺すことは許されたと聞いたことがありません。
"Mutilation of limbs, flogging, shaving of the head, and deforming limbs etc. these punishments have been prescribed for an emissary. Never has killing of an emissary been heard.
FAQs
Legal restraint in punishment: dharma protects diplomatic channels by forbidding execution of envoys, allowing only non-lethal penalties within recognized tradition.
Vibhīṣaṇa lists customary punishments to redirect Rāvaṇa away from executing Hanumān.
Knowledge of rāja-nīti and tradition (śāstra-smṛti awareness), used to uphold dharma under pressure.