Shloka 3.29.7

अरण्यकाण्डे एकोनत्रिंशः सर्गः (Sarga 29: Rama’s Admonition to Khara and the Shattering of the Mace)

Devanagari script

न चिरं पापकर्माणः क्रूरा लोकजुगुप्सिताः।ऐश्वर्यं प्राप्य तिष्ठन्ति शीर्णमूला इव द्रुमाः।।।।

Transliteration

na ciraṃ pāpakarmāṇaḥ krūrā lokajugupsitāḥ |

aiśvaryaṃ prāpya tiṣṭhanti śīrṇamūlā iva drumāḥ ||

Translation

Those who perform sinful deeds—cruel and despised by the world—do not remain in prosperity for long, just like trees whose roots have rotted away.

Context

Cruel people, who are despised by the world for their sinful deeds, will not be prosperous for long just like trees with decayed roots.

Characters & Entities

• aiśvarya (prosperity/power)
• druma (tree)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Power without dharma is unstable. Sin corrodes one’s foundation, so prosperity gained through wrongdoing cannot endure.

What is the narrative situation?

A moral warning is being given that cruel, sinful conduct leads to the collapse of one’s status, like a tree falling when its roots decay.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Dharma-grounded conduct—building one’s life on righteous foundations rather than cruelty and exploitation.