Shloka 4.52.17

स्वयंप्रभा-संवादः (Svayamprabha’s Dialogue with the Vanaras)

Devanagari script

यत्त्वया रक्षितास्सर्वे म्रियमाणा बुभुक्षया।।।।ब्रूहि प्रत्युपकारार्थं किं ते कुर्वन्तु वानराः।

Transliteration

yat tvayā rakṣitāḥ sarve mriyamāṇā bubhukṣayā | brūhi pratyupakārārthaṃ kiṃ te kurvantu vānarāḥ ||

Translation

Since you protected and saved us all when we were perishing of hunger, tell us: what should the Vānara do to repay your kindness?

Context

'We were dying from hunger when you saved us. Tell us what the monkeys can do to repay your debt?'.

Characters & Entities

• Svayaṃprabhā
• vānarāḥ (monkeys)

FAQs

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

Gratitude and reciprocity (pratyupakāra): dharma requires acknowledging benefaction and seeking a rightful way to return help, rather than taking generosity for granted.

What is the narrative situation?

After being saved and fed, the monkeys request guidance on how they can repay Svayaṃprabhā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kṛtajñatā (thankfulness)—the willingness to repay kindness and honor moral debts.