Chapter 50 — Aranya Kanda, Sarga 50

Valmiki Ramayana — Aranya Kanda

Verse 50.16

यत् कृत्वा न भवेद् धर्मो न कीर्तिर्न यशो ध्रुवम्। शरीरस्य भवेत् खेदः कस्तत् कर्म समाचरेत्॥

yat kṛtvā na bhaved dharmo na kīrtirna yaśo dhruvam| śarīrasya bhavet khedaḥ kastat karma samācaret||

English Meaning

Who engageth himself in such an action as does not confer virtue, fame or glory, but bring about physical affliction only?

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)