Shloka 6.83.38

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

Devanagari script

यस्यार्थाःधर्मकामार्थास्तस्यसर्वंप्रदक्षिणम् ।अधनेनार्थकामेननार्थश्शक्योविचिन्वता ।।6.83.38।।

Transliteration

yasyārthā dharmakāmārthās tasya sarvaṃ pradakṣiṇam |

adhanena arthakāmena nārthaḥ śakyo vicinvatā ||6.83.38||

Translation

For one who possesses wealth, dharma and kāma proceed smoothly and turn out auspicious. But for the penniless man who longs for wealth and frets after it, wealth is not easily obtained.

Context

For one who has wealth all his actions of dharma would give pleasure and favourable. One who has no wealth and is worrying about it can't attain it.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• dharma
• kāma
• artha

FAQs

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

It asserts that dharma in practice often needs material stability; anxiety and deprivation can obstruct right living. The ethical takeaway is to secure means without abandoning righteousness.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāvaṇa argues from the framework of the puruṣārthas that wealth enables both duty and enjoyment.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Balance (samatva): holding dharma primary while recognizing the supportive role of artha.