Shloka 4.29.14

हनूमता सुग्रीवस्य कालधर्मोपदेशः — Hanuman’s Counsel on Timely Ally-Duty

Devanagari script

यस्तु कालव्यतीतेषु मित्रकार्येषु वर्तते।।स कृत्वा महतोऽप्यर्थान्न मित्रार्थेन युज्यते।

Transliteration

yas tu kālavyatīteṣu mitrakāryeṣu vartate |

sa kṛtvā mahato 'py arthān na mitrārthena yujyate ||

Translation

But he who attends to a friend’s business only after the proper time has passed—even if he later makes great efforts—does not truly accomplish the ally’s purpose.

Context

'He who exceeds the time limit in accomplishing a friend's task, and puts forth great effort later succeeds not.

Characters & Entities

• Sugriva
• ally/friend (mitra)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes timeliness: delayed righteousness can fail its purpose; duty done too late becomes ineffective despite effort.

What is the narrative situation?

This is a direct critique of Sugriva’s postponement of the promised search, emphasizing that late action may not help Rama.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Promptness and responsibility—understanding that right action must meet the right moment.