Shloka 4.29.19

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

Devanagari script

तस्य त्वं कुरु वै कार्यं पूर्वं तेन कृतं तव।हरीश्वर कपिश्रेष्ठानाज्ञापयितुमर्हसि।।

Transliteration

tasya tvaṃ kuru vai kāryaṃ pūrvaṃ tena kṛtaṃ tava |

harīśvara kapiśreṣṭhān ājñāpayitum arhasi ||

Translation

Therefore do his work, just as he formerly did yours. O lord of the Vānara hosts, it is right for you to command the best of the monkeys.

Context

'O king! pray accomplish his object the same way he has accomplished your own. You ought to issue orders to the foremost of the monkeys.

Characters & Entities

• Sugriva (Harīśvara)
• Rama
• Vānara chiefs/foremost monkeys (kapiśreṣṭhāḥ)

FAQs

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

Reciprocity in alliance: one must repay help with help, and fulfill pledged support through concrete governance actions (issuing commands and mobilizing forces).

What is the narrative situation?

Sugriva is instructed to formally mobilize the Vānara leaders and commence the search operation for Sita, repaying Rama’s earlier assistance.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Leadership aligned with dharma—using authority to serve truth and obligation, not personal comfort.