Chapter 109 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 109

Valmiki Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda

Verse 109.33

यथा हि चोरः स तथा हि बुद्धस्तथागतं नास्तिकमत्र विद्धि। तस्माद्धि यः शक्यतमः प्रजानां स नास्तिके नाभिमुखो बुधः स्यात्॥

yathā hi coraḥ sa tathā hi buddhastathāgataṃ nāstikamatra viddhi| tasmāddhi yaḥ śakyatamaḥ prajānāṃ sa nāstike nābhimukho budhaḥ syāt||

English Meaning

As a thief is, so is a Buddha, and know that in this matter, an atheist is in a like predicament. Therefore, such an one, when capable of being punished like a thief for the good of the people, should be punished like a thief; and let no Brāhamaņa ever speak with an atheist.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)