Chapter 8 — Uttara Kanda, Sarga 8

Valmiki Ramayana — Uttara Kanda

Verse 8.26

नष्टधर्मव्यवस्थानां काले काले प्रजाकरः। उत्पद्यते दस्युवधे शरणागतवत्सलः॥

naṣṭadharmavyavasthānāṃ kāle kāle prajākaraḥ| utpadyate dasyuvadhe śaraṇāgatavatsalaḥ||

English Meaning

The creator of beings that one ever cherishing those seeking his refuge appeares at times to compass the destruction of marauders, bringing the religion of the people to rack and ruin.* *This tallies wonderfully with the corresponding view given in the Bible. Great men appear in the fullness of time to bring about reforms in religion, when, as was the case before the birth of Christ, men have wandered farthest from the true path.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)