Shloka 21
उद्योगप्रवर्तनम्
Mobilization and Counsel on Kingship
हित्वा धर्मं तथाऽर्थं च कामं यस्तु निषेवते।।4.38.21।।स वृक्षाग्रे यथा सुप्तः पतितः प्रतिबुध्यते।
hitvā dharmaṃ tathārthaṃ ca kāmaṃ yas tu niṣevate | sa vṛkṣāgre yathā suptaḥ patitaḥ pratibudhyate ||
தர்மத்தையும் அர்த்தத்தையும் விட்டுவிட்டு காமத்தையே மட்டும் நாடுபவன், மரத்தின் உச்சியில் உறங்கும் மனிதனைப் போன்றவன்; விழுந்த பின்பே அவன் விழித்தெழுவான்.
'One who neglects dharma and artha and pursues only kama (sensuous enjoyment) is like a man asleep on top of the tree, waking up only to realize that he has fallen down.
FAQs
Unchecked indulgence without duty (dharma) and prudent governance (artha) leads to ruin; ethical life requires restraint and prioritizing what sustains oneself and one’s dependents.
Rāma warns Sugrīva against exclusive pursuit of pleasure, using a vivid metaphor of danger and delayed awakening.
Temperance—control of desire so that rule and responsibility do not collapse.