Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 49, Shloka 4
अहल्याशापमोक्षः
The Release of Ahalya and Indra’s Restoration
तस्मात्सुरवरास्सर्वे सर्षिस्सङ्घास्सचारणा: ।सुरसाह्यकरं सर्वे सफलं कर्तुमर्हथ।।।।
tasmāt suravarāḥ sarve saṛṣi-saṅghāḥ sa-cāraṇāḥ |
sura-sāhyakaraṃ sarve saphalaṃ kartum arhatha ||
ஆகையால், தேவர்களில் சிறந்தவர்களே—ரிஷிகளின் கூட்டங்களும் சாரணர்களும் உடனாக—தேவர்களின் நலனுக்காக நான் செய்த இந்தச் செயல் பயன் பெறுமாறு செய்து, என்னை மீண்டும் முழுமையாக்குங்கள்.
Amidst sounds of celestial kettle-drums, devatas showered flowers, gandharvas sang and apsarasa danced. There was a great assemblage (of divinities).
FAQs
The verse raises the dharmic question of restitution and responsibility: even if one claims a public purpose, adharma cannot be excused, and ‘deserving’ compensation is ethically contested.
After suffering the curse’s consequence, Indra urges the assembled divine and semi-divine beings to restore him, arguing that his act was for the gods’ cause.
The implied virtue is discernment (viveka) in leadership—whether a community should reward actions that violate righteousness, even if framed as beneficial.