Shloka 21
हनूमता सुग्रीवस्य कालधर्मोपदेशः
Hanuman’s Counsel on Timely Ally-Duty
अकर्तुरपि कार्यस्य भवान्कर्ता हरीश्वरकिं पुनः प्रतिकर्तुस्ते राज्येन च धनेन च।।
akartur api kāryasya bhavān kartā harīśvara |
kiṃ punaḥ pratikartus te rājyena ca dhanena ca ||
Wahai tuan para kera, engkau pun menolong orang yang tidak pernah menolongmu; apatah lagi kini kerajaan dan harta telah teguh di tanganmu, tidakkah patut engkau membalas orang yang telah bertindak demi dirimu—dengan kerajaan dan kekayaan?
'O lord of monkeys! help even a person who has not helped you. As such, do you need to be told that you should help one, with whose help you have earned wealth and kingdom?
FAQs
Repaying help received is dharma. Gratitude and reciprocity are moral obligations, especially when one’s own prosperity (kingdom, wealth) was gained through another’s aid.
Hanuman reminds Sugriva that Rama’s help restored Sugriva’s fortunes; therefore Sugriva must now act in return by assisting Rama.
Kṛtajñatā (gratitude) and loyalty to alliances—honoring benefits received with faithful action.