Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 2
शरणागति
धर्मनिर्णयः (Decision on Refuge and Dharma) / Rama’s Vow of Protection and the Acceptance of Vibhishana
ममापितुविवक्षाऽस्तिकाचित्प्रतिविभीषणम् ।श्रोतुमिच्छामितत्सर्वंभवद्भिश्श्रेयसिस्थितैः ।।।।
mamāpi tu vivakṣā ’sti kācit prati vibhīṣaṇam | śrotum icchāmi tat sarvaṃ bhavadbhiḥ śreyasi sthitaiḥ ||
Ako man ay may ibig sabihin na ilang salita tungkol kay Vibhīṣaṇa. Nais kong pakinggan ninyong lubos—kayong nakatindig para sa aking kapakanan—ang lahat ng aking sasabihin.
"The sinless ones respect the kings of their clan as friendly ones. But by and large such kings also do not believe the virtuous ones among the kings."
FAQs
Responsible leadership: before acting, a righteous leader speaks openly and invites attentive hearing from well-wishers, aligning decisions with dharma rather than impulse.
Vibhīṣaṇa has approached Rāma’s camp, and Rāma signals that he will state his view and wants his allies to hear it fully.
Rāma’s deliberative fairness—he consults and clarifies his intent before making a consequential decision.