Shloka 57
विभीषणागमनम्
Vibhīṣaṇa’s Arrival and the Debate on Refuge
सएषदेश: कालश्चभवतीतियथातथा ।पुरुषात्पुरुषंप्राप्यतथादोषगुणावपि ।।6.17.57।।
sa eṣa deśaḥ kālaś ca bhavatīti yathā tathā | puruṣāt puruṣaṃ prāpya tathā doṣa-guṇāv api || 6.17.57 ||
“Dalam keadaan ini, tempat dan waktunya memang sesuai; dan seorang datang dari seorang yang lain kepada yang lebih mulia juga wajar—terutama apabila pada satu pihak terlihat cela, dan pada pihak lain terlihat kebajikan.”
"He has thought over and seen wickedness in Ravana, likewise valiance in you has made you come here. He seems to be right and suitable."
FAQs
Dharma recognizes appropriateness (deśa-kāla) and moral hierarchy: it can be right to leave an unrighteous side and approach the righteous protector.
Mainda argues that Vibhīṣaṇa’s act of approaching Rāma is contextually appropriate—given the circumstances of war and moral comparison.
Moral discernment: evaluating actions by context (time/place) and by the relative presence of virtues and faults.