Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 5
शरणागति
धर्मनिर्णयः (Decision on Refuge and Dharma) / Rama’s Vow of Protection and the Acceptance of Vibhishana
सुदुष्टोवाप्यदुष्टोवाकिमेषरजनीचरः ।ईदृशंव्यसनंप्राप्तंभ्रातरंयःपरित्यजेत् ।।।।कोनामसभवेत्तस्ययमेषनपरित्यजेत् ।
suduṣṭo vāpy aduṣṭo vā kim eṣa rajanīcaraḥ | īdṛśaṃ vyasanaṃ prāptaṃ bhrātaraṃ yaḥ parityajet || ko nāma sa bhavet tasya yam eṣa na parityajet ||
「この夜にさまようラークシャサが極悪であろうとなかろうと、我らが何を恐れようか。かかる苦境にあって実の兄に見捨てられ、彼は我らのもとへ来たのだ。いったい誰がこのような者を見捨てずにいられよう—誰が彼を退けずにいられようか。」
"Let this Rakshasa (night ranger) be a wicked one or not a wicked one, what have we to worry about such a person? He has come here abandoned by his brother and who will not send away such a person? Who will not do so?"
FAQs
It highlights a debated edge of dharma: prudence in accepting outsiders. Sugrīva argues from suspicion and worldly policy—questioning whether someone rejected by his own kin should be trusted.
Sugrīva responds to the arrival of Vibhīṣaṇa (Rāvaṇa’s brother) and expresses skepticism about granting him acceptance.
Sugrīva’s caution and protective concern for Rāma’s safety—though it contrasts with Rāma’s later emphasis on refuge as a dharmic duty.