Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 31
शरणागति
धर्मनिर्णयः (Decision on Refuge and Dharma) / Rama’s Vow of Protection and the Acceptance of Vibhishana
करिष्यामियथार्थंतुकण्डोर्वचनमुत्तमम् ।धर्मिष्ठंचयशस्यंचस्वर्ग्यंस्यात्तुफलोदये ।।।।
kariṣyāmi yathārthaṃ tu kaṇḍor vacanam uttamam |
dharmiṣṭhaṃ ca yaśasyaṃ ca svargyaṃ syāt tu phalodaye ||
Gagawin ko ayon sa katotohanan ang dakila at mainam na mga salita ni Kandu; ang ganitong asal ay lubhang makatarungan, nagdudulot ng dangal, at sa takdang panahon ay nagbubunga ng langit.
"Excellent and meaningful words have been said by sage Kandu (about one who protects a refugee), that is by doing one's righteous duty. He will be not only famous but reach heaven as a result of his action."
FAQs
Rāma grounds his decision in authoritative dharmic teaching: protecting a refugee is righteous, honor-giving, and spiritually fruitful.
Rāma cites the sage Kandu’s teaching to reinforce the duty to protect Vibhīṣaṇa who has sought refuge.
Satya and dharma-niṣṭhā—Rāma’s resolve to align action with true, principled counsel.