Shloka 6.83.30

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

Devanagari script

अधर्मसंश्रितोधर्मोविनाशयतिराघव ।सर्वमेतद्यथाकामंकाकुत्स्थकुरुतेनरः ।।6.83.30।।

Transliteration

adharma-saṃśrito dharmo vināśayati rāghava | sarvam etad yathā-kāmaṃ kākutstha kurute naraḥ ||6.83.30||

Translation

When dharma clings to adharma, it brings ruin, O Rāghava. In all this, O scion of Kakutstha, people act simply as they please.

Context

"Kakuthsa Rama! Kings followed dharma and adharma both according to context. Whether following dharma or adharma destruction is happening. Therefore, humans keep doing both as per their desire."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (Rāghava, Kākutstha)

FAQs

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

Dharma loses its protective power when compromised by adharma; moral principles, when instrumentalized by desire, become destructive.

What is the narrative situation?

The speaker generalizes from Rāma’s hardships to a broader critique: people bend ‘dharma’ to suit their wishes, producing ruin.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral discernment—recognizing corruption of righteousness by self-interest.