Chapter 17 — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 17

Valmiki Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda

Verse 17.47

भावमस्य तु विज्ञाय तत्त्वतस्त्वं करिष्यसि। यदि दुष्टो न दुष्टो वा बुद्धिपूर्वं नरर्षभ॥

bhāvamasya tu vijñāya tattvatastvaṃ kariṣyasi| yadi duṣṭo na duṣṭo vā buddhipūrvaṃ nararṣabha||

English Meaning

Do you first ascertain, O foremost of men, with what intention he has come evil or good and then settle what course to adopt.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)