Shloka 6.83.2

त्र्यशीतितमः सर्गः (Sarga 83) — Hanumān Reports Sītā’s ‘Slaying’; Rāma Collapses; Lakṣmaṇa’s Counter-Discourse on Dharma and Artha

Devanagari script

सौम्यनूनंहनुमताकृतंकर्मसुदुष्करम् ।श्रूयते च यथाभीमस्सुमहावायुधस्वनः ।।6.83.2।।

Transliteration

dharmeṇopalabhed dharmam adharmaṃ cāpy adharmataḥ |

yady adharmeṇa yujyeyur yeṣv adharmaḥ pratiṣṭhitaḥ ||6.83.19||

Translation

Through dharma one gains dharma, and through adharma one gains adharma; if those in whom adharma is firmly rooted align themselves with adharma, their course follows that very principle.

Context

"O gentle Jambavan! The terrifying sound of weapons is heard. Surely Hanuman has done a difficult task."

FAQs

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

Moral causality is reaffirmed: dharma is attained through dharmic conduct, while adharma accrues through adharmic conduct—means and ends are ethically continuous.

What is the narrative situation?

A rebuttal within a debate: the text pivots from ‘dharma is meaningless’ to a karma-based account where actions shape outcomes.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral clarity (viveka): distinguishing right means from wrong means and insisting that conduct matters.