Chapter 47 — Uttara Kanda, Sarga 47

Valmiki Ramayana — Uttara Kanda

Verse 47.5

श्रेयो हि मरणं मेऽद्य मृत्युर्वा यत्परं भवेत्। न चास्मिन्नीदृशे कार्ये नियोज्यो लोकनिन्दिते॥

śreyo hi maraṇaṃ me'dya mṛtyurvā yatparaṃ bhavet| na cāsminnīdṛśe kārye niyojyo lokanindite||

English Meaning

The death and the pain consequent upon it are better than the action I am engaged in.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)