Shloka 4.32.7

किष्किन्धाकाण्डे द्वात्रिंशः सर्गः — Lakshmana’s Anger Reported; Hanuman Advises Propitiation and Timely Mobilization

Devanagari script

सर्वथा सुकरं मित्रं दुष्करं परिपालनम्।अनित्यत्वाच्छ चित्तानां प्रीतिरल्पेपि भिद्यते।।

Transliteration

na sa kṣamaḥ kopayituṃ yaḥ prasādyaḥ punar bhavet | pūrvopakāraṃ smaratā kṛtajñena viśeṣataḥ ||

Translation

One who deserves to be appeased should not be provoked to anger—especially by a grateful person who remembers the help received in the past.

Context

'It is easy to earn a friend but keeping the friendship sustained is difficult. Due to fickleness of mind friendship gets broken even on flimsy grounds.

Characters & Entities

• gratitude (kṛtajñatā)
• benefaction (upakāra)

FAQs

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

Dharma teaches gratitude and restraint: do not wrong or offend those whom you ought to honor—especially benefactors whose help must be remembered truthfully.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān advises Sugrīva on repairing the strained alliance with Rāma/Lakṣmaṇa by acting with gratitude and avoiding provocation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kṛtajñatā (gratitude) and humility—recognizing moral obligation toward one who has helped you.