Shloka 5.51.18

हनूमदुपदेशः रावणस्य च कोपः (Hanuman’s Counsel to Ravana and Ravana’s Wrath)

Devanagari script

न हि धर्मविरुद्धेषु बह्वपायेषु कर्मसु।मूलघातिषु सज्जन्ते बुद्धिमन्तो भवद्विधाः।।।।

Transliteration

na hi dharmaviruddheṣu bahvapāyeṣu karmasu | mūlaghātiṣu sajjante buddhimanto bhavadvidhāḥ ||

Translation

For the wise—people such as you—do not truly engage in deeds opposed to dharma, fraught with many dangers, and destructive at the very root.

Context

"Indeed, respectable people and wise men like you should not indulge in actions opposed to righteousness as it will strike at the very root of your existence.

Characters & Entities

• Dharma (as principle)

FAQs

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

Adharma is self-destructive: unrighteous acts may appear advantageous but ultimately ruin one’s foundation (mūla).

What is the narrative situation?

Hanumān frames his warning as rational counsel: a truly wise king should not cling to ruinous wrongdoing.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Prājñatā (practical wisdom): the ability to foresee long-term consequences and choose dharma over impulse.