Shloka 4.65.21

पञ्चषष्टितमः सर्गः — वानराणां प्लवन-पराक्रम-निरूपणम् (Assessment of the Vanaras’ Leaping Capacity; Jambavan Motivates Hanuman)

Devanagari script

कामं शतं सहस्रं वा न ह्येष विधिरुच्यते।योजनानां भवान् शक्तो गन्तुं प्रतिनिवर्तितुम्।।।।

Transliteration

kāmaṃ śataṃ sahasraṃ vā na hy eṣa vidhir ucyate |

yojanānāṃ bhavān śakto gantuṃ pratinivartitum ||

Translation

Even if it were a hundred—or a thousand—yojanas, you are able both to go and to return; yet it is not the proper course to appoint you for this mission.

Context

'You can go upto even a hundred thousand yojanas and have the required energy to return also. But it is not proper to send you (because you are the heir apparent).

Characters & Entities

• Jāmbavān
• Angada

FAQs

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

Dharma of prudent governance: even the most capable person may be unsuited for a risky assignment if his role is structurally essential to the community’s continuity.

What is the narrative situation?

Jāmbavān affirms Angada’s strength but argues that sending him is improper in terms of duty and political order.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viveka (discernment): separating sheer ability from what is dharmically appropriate.