Shloka 12
शुकसारणनिग्रहः / Ravana Rebukes Suka and Sārana; Spies Reconnoiter Rama’s Camp
अप्येवदहनंस्पृष्टवावनेतिष्ठन्तिपादपाः ।राजदोषपरामृष्टास्तिष्ठन्तेनापराधिनः ।।।।
apy eva dahanaṃ spṛṣṭvā vane tiṣṭhanti pādapāḥ |
rājadōṣa-parāmṛṣṭās tiṣṭhante nāparādhinaḥ ||6.29.12||
آگ چھو بھی لے تو جنگل میں درخت کھڑے رہ جاتے ہیں؛ مگر جن پر راجا کے عتاب کی چھاپ پڑ جائے، وہ بے سزا نہیں ٹھہرتے۔
"Trees may remain unscathed even on touching forest fire, but those who are punishable do not remain unpunished on account of the king and are treated harshly."
FAQs
It reflects a distorted view of royal dharma: punishment should serve justice, not personal rage; otherwise it becomes tyranny.
Rāvaṇa uses a metaphor to warn that those deemed offenders by a king cannot escape consequences.
Negatively, misuse of authority; positively (by contrast), righteous kingship requires measured, evidence-based punishment.