Shloka 3.29.8

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

Devanagari script

अवश्यं लभते जन्तुः फलं पापस्य कर्मणः।घोरं पर्यागते काले द्रुमाः पुष्पमिवार्तवम्।।।।

Transliteration

avaśyaṃ labhate jantuḥ phalaṃ pāpasya karmaṇaḥ |

ghoraṃ paryāgate kāle drumāḥ puṣpam ivārtavam ||

Translation

Surely a being receives the fruit of sinful action—terrible though it may be—when the appointed time arrives, just as trees put forth blossoms in their season.

Context

Just as the trees bear flowers at the proper season, so also people will certainly reap the fruits of their terrible, sinful deeds at appropriate time.

Characters & Entities

• karma (action)
• phala (fruit/result)
• druma (tree)
• puṣpa (flower)

FAQs

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

The moral law of karma is presented as a truth (satya): actions inevitably mature into results, so dharma requires foreseeing consequences and choosing rightly.

What is the narrative situation?

The speaker explains that punishment or consequence may be delayed but will arrive at its appointed time, like seasonal flowering.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence and accountability—living with awareness that every deed ripens into a corresponding outcome.