Shloka 20

हनूमता सुग्रीवस्य कालधर्मोपदेशः

Hanuman’s Counsel on Timely Ally-Duty

Devanagari script

न हि तावद्भवेत्कालो व्यतीतश्चोदनादृते।चोदितस्य हि कार्यस्य भवेत्कालव्यतिक्रमः।।

Transliteration

na hi tāvad bhavet kālo vyatītaś codanādṛte |

coditasya hi kāryasya bhavet kālavyatikramaḥ ||

Translation

ಕಾರ್ಯವನ್ನು ಸ್ವಯಂಪ್ರೇರಣೆಯಿಂದ ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳುವವರೆಗೆ ಕಾಲ ‘ವ್ಯರ್ಥವಾಯಿತು’ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಲಾಗದು; ಆದರೆ ಒತ್ತಾಯದಿಂದ ಮಾತ್ರ ಮಾಡಿದ ಕಾರ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಲವೂ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯವೂ ನಿಜವಾಗಿ ಅತಿಕ್ರಮಿತವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ॥

Word by Word

नnot

हिindeed

तावत्so long/that much

भवेत्would be

कालःtime

व्यतीतःelapsed

चोदनादृतेwithout prompting

चोदितस्यof the ordered

हिindeed

कार्यस्यof the task

भवेत्would be

कालव्यतिक्रमःlapse of time/overdue

Context

'Time will not be deemed lapsed in vain if the work is sincerely taken up without delay and without pressure from your ally, Rama. If it is undertaken under pressure, it will be considered transgression of time.

Characters & Entities

Hanuman

Sugriva

FAQs

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

Dharma includes acting at the right time without needing external pressure. Voluntary, timely action preserves integrity; delayed action done only after admonition signals negligence.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanuman begins a pointed reminder: Sugriva’s promised assistance to Rama is overdue, and acting only after being urged will mark Sugriva as failing in timely duty.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Responsibility with initiative—doing what is promised before being compelled—showing inner discipline and respect for one’s word.