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)