Shloka 22
दूतधर्म-परामर्शः
Envoy-Immunity and Royal Counsel in Ravana’s Court
तस्मान्नास्य वधे यत्नः कार्य: परपुरञ्जय।भवान् सेन्द्रेषु देवेषु यत्नमास्थातुमर्हति।।।।
tasmān nāsya vadhe yatnaḥ kāryaḥ parapurañjaya | bhavān sendreṣu deveṣu yatnam āsthātum arhati ||
Portanto, ó conquistador das cidadelas inimigas, não se deve despender esforço em matá-lo. És digno de dirigir teus esforços contra os devas, mesmo os guiados por Indra.
"You who can conquer citadels of enemies should not direct your efforts to kill an envoy.You are fit to make efforts against enemies like gods including Indra.
FAQs
Power should be used in rightful arenas: dharma forbids misdirected violence (killing an envoy) and urges action consistent with warrior code and political responsibility.
Vibhīṣaṇa redirects Rāvaṇa’s impulse from executing Hanumān toward confronting true opponents, reinforcing both dharma and strategic priorities.
Discrimination in action—choosing targets and methods that are both effective and ethically permissible.