Chapter 34 — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 34

Valmiki Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda

Verse 34.8

शतमश्वानृते हन्ति सहस्रं तु गवानृते आत्मानं स्वजनं हन्ति पुरुषः पुरुषानृते॥

śatamaśvānṛte hanti sahasraṃ tu gavānṛte ātmānaṃ svajanaṃ hanti puruṣaḥ puruṣānṛte||

English Meaning

He that speaks a falsehood with reference to a horse, becomes guilty of the deaths of an hundred horses: he committing himself to a falsehood relative to a cow, reapeth the demerit of slaying a thousand kine; while he that uttereth an untruth touching a person, destroys self as well as his kindred.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)