Albeit born in the race of Rākşas of cruel deeds, yet having regard to the first of principles pertaining to men, my character is not that of a Rākşasa. I do not take pleasure in the terrible; not do I revel in unrighteousness.” But how can a brother, although differing from his brother in character, be renounced by the latter?* *Some read Vişamasilena. Then the sense would be: 'How else could a brother bearing a difference in character, renounce his brother' meaning Ravana.
राक्षसेन्द्रसुतासाधो पारुष्यं त्यज गौरवात्। कुले यद्यप्यहं जातो रक्षसां क्रूरकर्मणाम्।। गुणो यः प्रथमो नृणां तन्मे शीलमराक्षसम्॥ न रमे दारुणेनाहं न चाधर्मेण वै रमे। भ्रात्रा विषमशीलोऽपि कथं भ्राता निरस्यते॥