Shloka 27

शरणागति

धर्मनिर्णयः (Decision on Refuge and Dharma) / Rama’s Vow of Protection and the Acceptance of Vibhishana

Devanagari script

आर्तोवायदिवादृप्तःपरेषांशरणांगतः ।अरिःप्राणान्परित्यज्यरक्षितव्यःकृतात्मना ।।।।

Transliteration

ārto vā yadi vā dṛptaḥ pareṣāṃ śaraṇaṃ gataḥ | ariḥ prāṇān parityajya rakṣitavyaḥ kṛtātmanā || 6.18.27 ||

Translation

ശത്രു ആർ‍ത്തനായാലും ദർപ്പിതനായാലും, മറ്റുള്ളവരിൽ നിന്ന് ശരണം തേടി വന്നിട്ടുണ്ടെങ്കിൽ, കൃതാത്മനായ ആത്മസംയമി പുരുഷൻ സ്വന്തം ജീവൻ ത്യജിച്ചാലും അവനെ സംരക്ഷിക്കണം.

Word by Word

• आर्तः: distressed
• आर्तः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आर्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अरिः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• वा: or
• वा: Vikalpa (विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, विकल्प (or)

• यदि: if
• यदि: Nimitta (निमित्त/शर्त)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, शर्तसूचक (conditional particle: if)

• वा: or
• वा: Vikalpa (विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, विकल्प (or)

• दृप्तः: arrogant
• दृप्तः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृप्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अरिः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• परेषाम्: of others
• परेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; "of others" (i.e., of enemies/others)

• शरणांगतः: having sought refuge
• शरणांगतः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरण-आगत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्वितीया-तत्पुरुषः: शरणं आगतः (having come for refuge)

• अरिः: an enemy
• अरिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• प्राणान्: life-breaths, life
• प्राणान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• परित्यज्य: having given up
• परित्यज्य: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि-त्यज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), पूर्वकाल: "having abandoned"; उपसर्गः: परि-

• रक्षितव्यः: should be protected
• रक्षितव्यः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive/future passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय (ought to be protected)

• कृतात्मना: by a self-controlled person
• कृतात्मना: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृत-आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः: कृतः आत्मा यस्य (self-controlled/one of disciplined self)

Context

An enemy who comes for protection against another enemy should be protected, even giving up one's own life whoever he may be, even if he is afflicted or arrogant.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sugrīva
• śaraṇa (refuge)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Protection of the surrendered is unconditional with respect to their temperament; dharma demands safeguarding the refuge-seeker even at personal cost.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma lays down a stringent rule of conduct for dealing with an enemy who seeks asylum.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Integrity and self-mastery—upholding dharma despite provocation, pride, or fear.