Valmiki Ramayana 5.52.14 — Sundara Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 14
दूतधर्म-परामर्शः
Envoy-Immunity and Royal Counsel in Ravana’s Court
असंशयं शत्रुरयं प्रवृद्धः कृतं ह्यनेनाप्रियमप्रमेयम्।न दूतवध्यां प्रवदन्ति सन्तो दूतस्य दृष्टा बहवो हि दण्डाः।।।।
asaṁśayaṁ śatrur ayaṁ pravṛddhaḥ kṛtaṁ hy anenāpriyam aprameyam |
na dūtavadhyāṁ pravadanti santo dūtasya dṛṣṭā bahavo hi daṇḍāḥ ||
ஐயமின்றி இவன் வலிமைமிக்க பகைவன்; இவன் அளவிட முடியாத அளவு பெரும் தீங்கையும் துயரத்தையும் செய்தான். ஆயினும் சான்றோர் தூதனை வதம் செய்வதை ஏற்கார்; தூதனுக்கென பல தண்டனைகள் விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.
This enemy has done a lot of harm, no doubt. Indeed he has done terrible and unpleasant deeds. (Yet) the wise have recommended many alternate punishments, while prohibiting their killing.
FAQs
Dharma sets limits on retribution: even when harmed, a ruler must punish within lawful boundaries; immunity of envoys is upheld while allowing alternate penalties.
Vibhīṣaṇa acknowledges Hanumān’s hostile acts but argues that execution violates established norms regarding messengers.
Fair-mindedness (nyāya-buddhi): recognizing harm yet insisting on proportionate, rule-bound response.
Ask anything about this verse
Curious about the meaning, context, or a word? Ask, and continue the conversation in the Vedapath app.
A free Google sign-in keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Valmiki Ramayana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.