Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 23
शरणागति
धर्मनिर्णयः (Decision on Refuge and Dharma) / Rama’s Vow of Protection and the Acceptance of Vibhishana
श्रूयतेहिकपोतेनशत्रुश्शरणमागतः ।अर्चितश्चयथान्यायंस्वैश्चमांसैर्निमन्त्रितः ।।।।
śrūyate hi kapotena śatruḥ śaraṇam āgataḥ | arcitaś ca yathānyāyaṃ svaiś ca māṃsair nimantritaḥ || 6.18.23 ||
వినబడుచున్నది—కపోతము శరణమొచ్చిన శత్రువునకును యథావిధిగా సత్కారము చేసి, తన మాంసముతోనే అతిథి-భోజనమునకు ఆహ్వానించెను।
"You have heard of the (story of a) dove that offered his own flesh to an enemy who came to seek protection according to tradition (of hospitality)."
FAQs
Śaraṇāgati-dharma: one who seeks refuge is to be honored and protected, even if formerly an enemy.
Rāma introduces a traditional moral exemplar (the dove) to justify a policy of protecting the one who comes seeking refuge.
Compassion joined with unwavering adherence to righteous custom.