Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.17 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 17
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
न मन्ये ब्रह्मचर्येऽस्ति स्वधीते वा फलोदयः।मार्दवार्जवयोर्वापि त्वां चेद्व्यसनमागतम्।।2.52.17।।
na manye brahmacarye 'sti svadhīte vā phalodayaḥ |
mārdavārjavayor vāpi tvāṃ ced vyasanam āgatam ||
إن كانت المصيبة قد نزلت بك، على الرغم من انضباطك في العفة، وتعلّمك المقدّس، ولينك واستقامتك، فلا أظنّ أن لهذه الفضائل ثمرة تُرجى.
If your celibacy and your grief are the consequences of your study of the Vedic lore, your compassionate nature and simplicity of character, I think there is no use of all these (virtues).
FAQs
The verse voices a human doubt: if virtue is met with suffering, what is the ‘fruit’ of dharma? The Ramayana uses such lament to highlight that dharma is upheld for truth itself, not merely for immediate reward.
Sumantra, grieving, questions the meaning of Rama’s virtues when Rama still must endure exile and misfortune.
Rama’s moral excellence is assumed—discipline, learning, gentleness, and honesty—while Sumantra’s candid emotional honesty is foregrounded.
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