Shloka 7
दूत-नीति, शुक-प्रसङ्गः
Envoy-Ethics and the Episode of Śuka
तवदूतामहाराजक्षिप्रमर्हन्त्यवेक्षितुम् ।उपप्रदानंसान्त्वंवाभेदोवात्रप्रयुज्यताम् ।।।।
tava dūtāḥ mahārāja kṣipram arhanty avekṣitum |
upapradānaṃ sāntvaṃ vā bhedo vā tra prayujyatām ||
Wahai Maharaja, para utusan tuanku hendaklah segera memerhati mereka. Di sana laksanakanlah upaya yang patut: sama ada pemberian untuk memujuk, pendamaian yang menenteramkan, atau menabur perpecahan.
"Great sons of Dasaratha, Rama and Lakshmana, endowed with beautiful form and exceptional fortitude have come and set their foot on the seashore and settled to come to Sita."
FAQs
It highlights rāja-nīti (political ethics): rulers must act with foresight. The verse also invites reflection on dharmic limits—methods like “bheda” (division) may be effective yet morally fraught.
The messenger recommends immediate reconnaissance and political tactics to counter the approaching enemy.
Strategic intelligence: swift observation and measured response.