Shloka 2.109.38

सत्यधर्मप्रतिपादनम् (Rama’s Defense of Truth and Dharma in Reply to Jabali)

Devanagari script

न नास्तिकानां वचनं ब्रवीम्यहं न नास्तिकोऽहं न च नास्ति किञ्चन।समीक्ष्य कालं पुनरास्तिकोऽभवं भवेय काले पुनरेव नास्तिकः।।2.109.38।।

Transliteration

kaś cetayānaḥ puruṣaḥ kāryākāryavicakṣaṇaḥ |

bahumaṃsyati māṃ loke durvṛttaṃ lokadūṣaṇam || 2.109.7 ||

Translation

What sensible person—able to discern what should and should not be done—would honor me in the world, if I became corrupt and a blemish upon society?

Context

I do not speak the language of atheists. I am not an atheist. I do not say that the next world does not exist. In keeping with time (occasion) I shall speak the language of a believer or a non-believer.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma

FAQs

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

A leader’s dharma includes accountability to the moral judgement of the wise; wrongdoing makes one unworthy of respect and socially harmful.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma frames his personal choice as a public example: if he collapses into adharma, discerning people will reject him.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Responsibility—awareness that one’s conduct shapes societal standards.