Shloka 4.30.73

शरत्प्रवेशे रामविलापः तथा सुग्रीवप्रमादे लक्ष्मणप्रेषणम् (Autumn’s Onset: Rama’s Lament and Lakshmana Sent to Sugriva)

Devanagari script

कृतार्था ह्यकृतार्थानां मित्राणां न भवन्ति ये।तान्मृतानपि क्रव्यादाः कृतघ्नान्नोपभुञ्जते।।

Transliteration

kṛtārthā hy akṛtārthānāṃ mitrāṇāṃ na bhavanti ye |

tān mṛtān api kravyādāḥ kṛtaghnān nopabhuñjate ||

Translation

Those who, having achieved their own ends, do not stand by friends still in need—such ungrateful men are so vile that even flesh-eating beasts would not consume them, even in death.

Context

'Even the carnivorous animals dislike to eat the body of such ungrateful men who do not help their friends even though they have received help and have achieved theirobjective.'

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Lakshmana
• Sugriva (implied as ungrateful)
• kravyādaḥ (carnivorous beasts)

FAQs

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

One must repay help with help; abandoning a friend after benefiting from him is condemned as kṛtaghnatā (ingratitude), a grave adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakshmana rebukes the moral failure of those who forget obligations once their own aims are met, implicitly targeting Sugriva’s delay after regaining his kingdom.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Gratitude and loyalty to friends in distress.