Shloka 12
कृतघ्ननिन्दा तथा सुग्रीवप्रबोधनम्
Condemnation of Ingratitude and Admonition of Sugriva
ब्रह्मघ्ने च सुरापे च चोरे भग्नव्रते तथा।निष्कृतिर्विहिता सद्भि: कृतघ्ने नास्ति निष्कृतिः।।।।
brahmaghne ca surāpe ca core bhagnavrate tathā | niṣkṛtir vihitā sadbhiḥ kṛtaghne nāsti niṣkṛtiḥ ||
Für den Mörder eines Brāhmaṇa, für den Trunkenbold, für den Dieb und ebenso für den, der heilige Gelübde bricht, setzen die Guten Sühne fest; doch für den Undankbaren gibt es keinerlei Sühne.
'There is expiation for one who kills a brahmin, a drunkard, a thief and a violator of sacred vows. But there is no atonement for an ungrateful man.'
FAQs
Ingratitude is treated as a foundational breach of dharma: it destroys trust, violates satya (keeping one’s word), and undermines social and moral order—hence it is depicted as beyond ordinary expiation.
Lakṣmaṇa warns Sugrīva through a severe maxim: after receiving Rāma’s help, Sugrīva must not default on his promise to assist in the search for Sītā.
The virtue demanded is gratitude expressed as faithful reciprocity; Lakṣmaṇa embodies moral clarity and insistence on truthfulness to commitments.