Shloka 13
शुकसारणनिग्रहः / Ravana Rebukes Suka and Sārana; Spies Reconnoiter Rama’s Camp
हन्यामहंत्विमौपापौशत्रुपक्षप्रशंसकौ ।यदिपूर्वोपकारैस्तुनक्रोधोमृदुतांव्रजेत् ।।।।
hanyām ahaṃ tv imau pāpau śatru-pakṣa-praśaṃsakau |
yadi pūrvopakārais tu na krodho mṛdutāṃ vrajet ||6.29.13||
Aku hampir membunuh dua pendosa ini, yang memuji pihak musuh; namun apabila kuingat jasa-jasa mereka dahulu, amarahku pun menjadi lembut.
"I would have slayed these two sinners who praise the enemy side, if my anger had not softened and remembered their earlier services."
FAQs
A trace of dharmic restraint appears as gratitude (smaraṇa of past service) checks violence—yet the intention to kill truthful advisers remains ethically flawed.
Rāvaṇa claims he would execute the messengers for praising enemies, but refrains due to their past assistance.
Gratitude as a restraining force—though here it operates within an otherwise adharma-driven outburst.