Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 17
स्वयंप्रभा-संवादः
Svayamprabha’s Dialogue with the Vanaras
यत्त्वया रक्षितास्सर्वे म्रियमाणा बुभुक्षया।।।।ब्रूहि प्रत्युपकारार्थं किं ते कुर्वन्तु वानराः।
yat tvayā rakṣitāḥ sarve mriyamāṇā bubhukṣayā | brūhi pratyupakārārthaṃ kiṃ te kurvantu vānarāḥ ||
Since you saved all of us when we were dying of hunger, tell us what the monkeys should do to repay you in return.
'We were dying from hunger when you saved us. Tell us what the monkeys can do to repay your debt?'.
FAQs
Gratitude and reciprocity (pratyupakāra): dharma requires acknowledging benefaction and seeking a rightful way to return help, rather than taking generosity for granted.
After being saved and fed, the monkeys request guidance on how they can repay Svayaṃprabhā.
Kṛtajñatā (thankfulness)—the willingness to repay kindness and honor moral debts.