Shloka 45

प्रस्रवणगिरिवासवर्णनम्

Residence on Mount Prasravana; Counsel during the Rains

Devanagari script

उपकारेण वीरस्तु प्रतीकारेण युज्यते।अकृतज्ञोऽप्रतिकृतो हन्ति सत्त्ववतां मनः4.27.45।।

Transliteration

upakāreṇa vīras tu pratīkāreṇa yujyate |

akṛtajño 'pratikṛto hanti sattvavatāṃ manaḥ || 4.27.45 ||

Translation

వీరుడు ఉపకారానికి తగిన ప్రతికారంతోనే ప్రతిదానం చేస్తాడు. కాని కృతఘ్నుడు, చేసినదానికి ప్రతిదానం చేయని వాడు, సత్పురుషుల మనస్సును విరిచివేస్తాడు.

Word by Word

upakāreṇaby a favour/benefit

vīraḥa hero/noble person

tuindeed/but

pratīkāreṇaby requital/return-help

yujyateis joined/engages (is bound)

akṛtajñaḥan ungrateful person

a-pratikṛtaḥone who has not repaid (a favour)

hantidestroys

sattvavatāmof the spirited/virtuous

manaḥmind/heart

Context

'O lord of men, your desire will be fulfilled soon. Be determined to fight the enemy while waiting for autumn. Forgive this rainy season (and its water that obstructs).

Characters & Entities

Rāma

Lakṣmaṇa

FAQs

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

Dharma upholds gratitude and reciprocity: receiving help creates a moral obligation to respond with appropriate support. Ingratitude is portrayed as a serious ethical failure.

What is the narrative situation?

In the context of alliances and mutual assistance (especially with Sugrīva), Rāma articulates the moral logic of repaying help and the harm caused by failing to do so.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Gratitude (kṛtajñatā) and honourable conduct—traits expected of the truly heroic and noble-minded.