Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 83, Shloka 39
त्र्यशीतितमः सर्गः (Sarga 83)
Hanumān Reports Sītā’s ‘Slaying’; Rāma Collapses; Lakṣmaṇa’s Counter-Discourse on Dharma and Artha
हर्षःकामश्चदर्पश्चधर्मःक्रोधश्शमोदमः ।अर्थादेतानिसर्वाणिप्रवर्तन्तेनराधिप ।।6.83.39।।
harṣaḥ kāmaś ca darpaś ca dharmaḥ krodhaḥ śamo damaḥ |
arthād etāni sarvāṇi pravartante narādhipa ||6.83.39||
Hỷ lạc, dục vọng, kiêu mạn, cả dharma, phẫn nộ, nhẫn chịu, và tự chế—hỡi chúa tể loài người—tất thảy những điều ấy đều vận hành nhờ của cải.
"O Rama! Desire, delight, pride, virtue, anger, forgiveness, fortitude all these are effective through wealth."
FAQs
It argues that the capacity to enact virtues (and vices) is strengthened by resources. Dharmic reflection: wealth is a tool; its moral value depends on right intention and right use.
Rāvaṇa continues persuading Rāma that artha underwrites human capacities, including the practice of dharma.
Responsible stewardship: using means to support dharma rather than to inflate pride or harm others.