Shloka 21

हनूमता सुग्रीवस्य कालधर्मोपदेशः

Hanuman’s Counsel on Timely Ally-Duty

Devanagari script

अकर्तुरपि कार्यस्य भवान्कर्ता हरीश्वरकिं पुनः प्रतिकर्तुस्ते राज्येन च धनेन च।।

Transliteration

akartur api kāryasya bhavān kartā harīśvara |

kiṃ punaḥ pratikartus te rājyena ca dhanena ca ||

Translation

வானரத் தலைவனே! உனக்கு உதவி செய்யாதவரின் காரியத்திற்கும் நீ துணை நிற்பாய்; அப்படியிருக்க, உனக்காகச் செயல்பட்டவருக்கு—இப்போது அரசும் செல்வமும் உறுதியாகிய நிலையில்—நீ பதிலுதவி செய்வது எவ்வளவு அதிகமாக உரியது॥

Word by Word

अकर्तुःof one who did not do (it)

अपिeven

कार्यस्यof the task

भवान्you

कर्ताdoer

हरीश्वरO lord of monkeys

किम्what

पुनःthen/further

प्रतिकर्तुःof one who repays in return

तेyour

राज्येनwith kingdom

चand

धनेनwith wealth

चand

Context

'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?

Characters & Entities

Hanuman

Sugriva

Rama

FAQs

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

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.

What is the narrative situation?

Hanuman reminds Sugriva that Rama’s help restored Sugriva’s fortunes; therefore Sugriva must now act in return by assisting Rama.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kṛtajñatā (gratitude) and loyalty to alliances—honoring benefits received with faithful action.