Shloka 6.83.22

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

Devanagari script

वध्यन्तेपापकर्माणोयद्यधर्मेणराघव ।वधकर्महतोऽधर्मः स हतःकिंवधिष्यति ।।6.83.22।।

Transliteration

vadhyante pāpa-karmāṇo yady adharmeṇa rāghava |

vadha-karma-hato 'dharmaḥ sa hataḥ kiṃ vadhiṣyati ||6.83.22||

Translation

O Rāghava, if sinners are slain because of adharma, then that very adharma is ‘slain’ by the act of slaying; once slain, whom could that adharma kill thereafter?

Context

"Righteousness and unrighteousness are forms of actions, sinful or not sinful. If sinful action is unrighteous, those who have done sinful actions should suffer. Since sinful action is momentary, and as soon as the action is over unrighteousness is also gone. That being so how can unrighteousness cause pain to anyone?"

Characters & Entities

• Rāghava (Rāma)

FAQs

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

It challenges the idea of enduring moral retribution by arguing that adharma is exhausted with the act itself, thus denying long-term karmic consequence.

What is the narrative situation?

Direct address to Rāma in a debate: the speaker uses a logical paradox about ‘adharma being killed’ to reject moral causality.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s discernment (prajñā) is implicitly invoked—he must answer sophistry and uphold dharma as a stable principle.