Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 31
शरणागति
धर्मनिर्णयः (Decision on Refuge and Dharma) / Rama’s Vow of Protection and the Acceptance of Vibhishana
करिष्यामियथार्थंतुकण्डोर्वचनमुत्तमम् ।धर्मिष्ठंचयशस्यंचस्वर्ग्यंस्यात्तुफलोदये ।।।।
kariṣyāmi yathārthaṃ tu kaṇḍor vacanam uttamam |
dharmiṣṭhaṃ ca yaśasyaṃ ca svargyaṃ syāt tu phalodaye ||
कण्डोर्वचनम् उत्तमं यथार्थं तु करिष्यामि; तत् धर्मिष्ठं यशस्यं च, फलोदये स्वर्ग्यं भवेत्।
"Excellent and meaningful words have been said by sage Kandu (about one who protects a refugee), that is by doing one's righteous duty. He will be not only famous but reach heaven as a result of his action."
FAQs
Rāma grounds his decision in authoritative dharmic teaching: protecting a refugee is righteous, honor-giving, and spiritually fruitful.
Rāma cites the sage Kandu’s teaching to reinforce the duty to protect Vibhīṣaṇa who has sought refuge.
Satya and dharma-niṣṭhā—Rāma’s resolve to align action with true, principled counsel.