Shloka 4.36.18

किष्किन्धाकाण्डे षट्त्रिंशः सर्गः — सुग्रीवस्य भय-त्यागः, कृतज्ञता, तथा लक्ष्मणेन सान्त्वन-प्रेरणा (Sugriva’s Reassurance and Lakshmana’s Counsel)

Devanagari script

सदृशश्चासि रामस्य विक्रमेण बलेन च।सहायो दैवतैर्दत्तश्चिराय हरिपुङ्गव।।।।

Transliteration

doṣajñaḥ sati sāmarthye ko 'nyo bhāṣitum arhati | varjayitvā mama jyeṣṭhaṃ tvāṃ ca vānarasattama ||

Translation

O best of monkeys, when one has the power to discern faults, who else would be fit to speak in such a way—except my elder brother and you?

Context

'You who are equal to Rama in valour and strength, will continue to be the gift of gods to us for long.

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• Sugrīva
• Rāma (implied as Lakṣmaṇa’s elder brother)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes restraint in judgment: even if one can see others’ faults, the righteous speak with humility and fairness rather than arrogance.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakṣmaṇa commends Sugrīva’s manner of speaking, elevating him alongside Rāma as uniquely fit to speak self-reflectively and responsibly.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sugrīva’s humility and ethical speech—capacity for criticism tempered by self-awareness.