Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 11
शरणागति
धर्मनिर्णयः (Decision on Refuge and Dharma) / Rama’s Vow of Protection and the Acceptance of Vibhishana
अपापास्तत्कुलीनाश्चमानयन्तिस्वकान्हितान् ।एषप्रायोनरेन्द्राणांशङ्कनीयस्तुशोभनः ।।।।
apāpās tatkulīnāś ca mānayanti svakān hitān | eṣa prāyo narendrāṇāṃ śaṅkanīyas tu śobhanaḥ ||
Ang mga walang sala at ang kapwa-angkan ay iginagalang ang sariling mga kaibigang may mabuting hangarin. Gayunman, sa gawi ng mga hari, kahit ang marangal ay kadalasang pinaghihinalaan.
"I will tell you what the scriptures have said about the demerit in accepting an enemy's strength that you have spoken. You may listen."
FAQs
Rāja-dharma balances goodwill with vigilance: even the virtuous may be suspected in political life, so discernment must accompany trust.
In deliberations about Vibhīṣaṇa’s approach, the discussion turns to how rulers typically weigh loyalty, kinship, and suspicion.
Prudence (viveka): the capacity to recognize political realities while still honoring genuine well-wishers.