Chapter 33 — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 33

Valmiki Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda

Verse 33.45

महर्षयो धर्मतपोऽभिरामाः कामानुकामाः प्रतिबद्धमोहाः। अयं प्रकृत्या चपलः कपिस्तु कथं न सज्जेत सुखेषु राजा॥

maharṣayo dharmatapo'bhirāmāḥ kāmānukāmāḥ pratibaddhamohāḥ| ayaṃ prakṛtyā capalaḥ kapistu kathaṃ na sajjeta sukheṣu rājā||

English Meaning

Even Maharșis finding delight in religion and asceticism, setting their hearts upon satisfying lust, (ultimately) become fast bound by ignorance. But this is a monkey, volatile by nature, and has, further more, been enjoying regal state-why should he not act thus?

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)