Chapter 83 — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 83

Valmiki Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda

Verse 83.21

अथवा विहितेनायं हन्यते हन्ति चापरम्। विधिः स लिप्यते तेन न स पापेन कर्मणा॥

athavā vihitenāyaṃ hanyate hanti cāparam| vidhiḥ sa lipyate tena na sa pāpena karmaṇā||

English Meaning

Or if it is said that one is slain or slay another by ordinance, then it is destiny, which is touched by the sinful act and not he.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)