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 ||
Ngunit ang taong tumatalikod sa dharma at artha at tanging kāma ang sinusunod ay tulad ng natutulog sa tuktok ng puno—magigising lamang kapag siya’y nahulog.
'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.