Shloka 4.29.5
हनूमता सुग्रीवस्य कालधर्मोपदेशः — Hanuman’s Counsel on Timely Ally-Duty
[Hanuman awakens Sugriva from slumber -- advises to initiate the search Vaidehi.]समीक्ष्य विमलं व्योम गतविद्युद्वलाहकम्।सारसाकुलसङ्घुष्टं रम्यज्योत्स्नानुलेपनम्4.29.1।।समृद्धार्थं च सुग्रीवं मन्दधर्मार्थसङ्ग्रहम्।अत्यर्थमसतां मार्गमेकान्तगतमानसम्4.29.2।।निर्वृत्तकार्यं सिद्धार्थं प्रमदाभिरतं सदा।प्राप्तवन्तमभिप्रेतान्सर्वानेव मनोरथान्4.29.3।।स्वां च पत्नीमभिप्रेतां तारां चापि समीप्सिताम्।विहरन्तमहोरात्रं कृतार्थं विगतज्वरम्4.29.4।।क्रीडन्तमिव देवेशं नन्दनेऽप्सरसां गणैः।मन्त्रिषु न्यस्तकार्यं च मन्त्रिणामनवेक्षकम्4.29.5।।उत्सन्नराज्यसन्देशं कामवृत्तमवस्थितम्।निश्चितार्थोऽर्थतत्त्वज्ञः कालधर्मविशेषवित्4.29.6।।प्रसाद्य वाक्यैर्मधुरैर्हेतुमद्भिर्मनोरमैः।वाक्यविद्वाक्य तत्त्वज्ञं हरीशं मारुतात्मजः4.29.7।।हितं तत्त्वं च पथ्यं च सामधर्मार्थनीतिमत्।प्रणयप्रीतिसंयुक्तं विश्वासकृतनिश्चयम्।हरीश्वरमुपागम्य हनूमान्वाक्यमब्रवीत्4.29.8।।
krīḍantam iva deveśaṃ nandane ’psarasāṃ gaṇaiḥ |
mantriṣu nyastakāryaṃ ca mantriṇām anavekṣakam ||
He saw Sugrīva sporting like the Lord of the gods in Nandana amid troops of Apsarases—having entrusted affairs to his ministers, yet not supervising those ministers at all.
Hanuman, son of the Windgod, saw the clear sky flooded with lovely moonlight, free from clouds and lightning and cackling of herons. He noticed that because Sugriva had attained abundant wealth and merit, he was not taking care of the kingdom. He was engrossed in sensual pleasures. Having accomplished the desired object, he was engaged in enjoyment of the company of women, his own wives and Tara, whom he coveted. He was strolling (in the pleasant garden) night and day without caring for the kingdom, entrusting it to the ministers whose movements he did not watch. He was sporting with women like Indra sports with apsaras in the Nandana garden.Hanuman, who was conscious of his duties and responsibilities, who was aware of the importance of action in time and who was skilful in speech approached Sugriva, king of the monkeys. Having decided to take him into confidence, Hanuman spoke in a convincing, wellmeaning, sweet, pleasing manner words truthful and helpful, conciliatory and just, full of love and affection:
The simile highlights how pleasure can intoxicate a ruler after success; rajadharma requires restraint and continued attention to duty even when prosperity and enjoyment are available.
Delegation is permitted in governance, but dharma requires accountability; failing to oversee ministers risks injustice, disorder, and deviation from satya (truthful, transparent administration).