Shloka 4.54.17

अङ्गद-उपदेशः — Hanuman’s Counsel to Angada on Succession and Strategy

Devanagari script

स्मरन्तः पुत्रदाराणां नित्योद्विग्ना बुभुक्षिताः।खेदिता दुःखशय्याभिस्त्वां करिष्यन्ति पृष्ठतः।।।।

Transliteration

smarantaḥ putra-dārāṇāṃ nityodvignā bubhukṣitāḥ |

kheditā duḥkha-śayyābhis tvāṃ kariṣyanti pṛṣṭhataḥ || 4.54.17 ||

Translation

Remembering their children and wives, ever anxious, hungry, and worn down by painful resting-places, they will leave you behind.

Context

'The memory of their sons and wives will haunt these hungry monkeys. The inconvenient bed will make them so depressed that they will leave you behind.

Characters & Entities

• vānaras (implied)
• putra (children)
• dāra (wives)

FAQs

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

Dharma recognizes duties to family and community well-being; forcing followers into prolonged hardship without purpose undermines righteous leadership.

What is the narrative situation?

The counsellor explains practical reasons the troop will not stay in hiding: hunger, discomfort, and longing for family will drive them away.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Empathy and realism—understanding the limits of endurance and the legitimate pulls of domestic responsibility.