Shloka 4.38.20

उद्योगप्रवर्तनम् (Mobilization and Counsel on Kingship)

Devanagari script

धर्ममर्थं च कामं च यस्तु काले निषेवते।।4.38.20।।विभज्य सततं वीर स्स राजा हरिसत्तम।

Transliteration

dharmam arthaṃ ca kāmaṃ ca yas tu kāle niṣevate | vibhajya satataṃ vīra sa rājā harisattama ||

Translation

“O best of vānaras: the one who, as a hero, ever apportions his time and in the proper season pursues dharma, artha, and kāma—he truly is a king.”

Context

'O best among the heroic monkeys, a king who apportions his time properly towards pursuit of dharma, artha and kama is a hero and deserves to be a king.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sugrīva
• Trivarga (dharma-artha-kāma)

FAQs

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

Balanced rāja-dharma: a ruler must harmonize dharma (righteous duty), artha (statecraft and prosperity), and kāma (legitimate enjoyment) by proper timing and proportion, not by excess in any one.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma begins instructing Sugrīva on the ideals of kingship, defining the disciplined pursuit of the trivarga as the mark of a true king.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prudence and self-governance—mastery over time and priorities as the foundation of ruling others.