Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 24
सहितंप्रतिजग्राहभार्याहर्तारमागतः ।कपोतोवानरश्रेष्ठ: किंपुनर्मद्विधोजनः ।।।।
sahitaṃ pratijagrāha bhāryā-hartāram āgataḥ | kapoto vānaraśreṣṭhaḥ kiṃ punar mad-vidho janaḥ || 6.18.24 ||
O pinakadakila sa mga Vānara, tinanggap at iningatan pa ng kalapati ang dumating na siyang umagaw sa kanyang kabiyak; lalo pa nga kung gayon ang dapat gawin ng taong tulad ko.
"O Supreme Vanara When the fowler who had carried away the mate came near the dove it received him and in turn protected him. What more can a man like me do?"
FAQs
If even a small creature upholds refuge-protection toward a grievous offender, a righteous human ruler must uphold it all the more.
Rāma strengthens his argument by extending the dove example: protection is owed even to one who has caused personal loss.
Magnanimity—placing dharma above personal grievance.