Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 29, Shloka 12
शुकसारणनिग्रहः / Ravana Rebukes Suka and Sārana; Spies Reconnoiter Rama’s Camp
अप्येवदहनंस्पृष्टवावनेतिष्ठन्तिपादपाः ।राजदोषपरामृष्टास्तिष्ठन्तेनापराधिनः ।।।।
apy eva dahanaṃ spṛṣṭvā vane tiṣṭhanti pādapāḥ |
rājadōṣa-parāmṛṣṭās tiṣṭhante nāparādhinaḥ ||6.29.12||
अप्येव दहनं स्पृष्ट्वा वने पादपास्तिष्ठन्ति; राजदोषपरामृष्टा नापराधिनस्तु न तिष्ठन्ते॥
"Trees may remain unscathed even on touching forest fire, but those who are punishable do not remain unpunished on account of the king and are treated harshly."
FAQs
It reflects a distorted view of royal dharma: punishment should serve justice, not personal rage; otherwise it becomes tyranny.
Rāvaṇa uses a metaphor to warn that those deemed offenders by a king cannot escape consequences.
Negatively, misuse of authority; positively (by contrast), righteous kingship requires measured, evidence-based punishment.