Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 13

अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः

Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā

Devanagari script

गुरोरप्यवलिप्तस्य कार्याकार्यमजानतः।उत्पथं प्रतिपन्नस्य कार्यं भवति शासनम्।।2.21.13।।

Transliteration

guror apy avaliptasya kāryākāryam ajānataḥ |

utpathaṃ pratipannasya kāryaṃ bhavati śāsanam ||2.21.13||

Translation

Even a teacher—if swollen with pride, unable to discern what should and should not be done, and having taken to a wrongful path—must be corrected; discipline becomes one’s duty in such a case.

Word by Word

• guroḥ: of a teacher/preceptor
• guroḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th), Singular

• api: even
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle

• avaliptasya: of the arrogant
• avaliptasya: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ava-lip (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Genitive, Singular; 'arrogant'

• kārya-akāryam: right and wrong action
• kārya-akāryam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārya (प्रातिपदिक) + akārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; dvandva 'what should be done and what should not be done'

• ajānataḥ: of one who does not know
• ajānataḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-jānat (from √jñā, धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ) with negation a-, Masculine, Genitive, Singular; 'of one not knowing'

• utpatham: wrong path
• utpatham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ut-patha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; 'wrong path'

• pratipannasya: of one who has taken to
• pratipannasya: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prati-pad (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Genitive, Singular; 'of one who has resorted to'

• kāryam: a duty/what is to be done
• kāryam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st), Singular

• bhavati: becomes/is
• bhavati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (Present), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• śāsanam: discipline/punishment
• śāsanam: Karta-sāmānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-सामानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śāsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

Context

O best of men!, under what authority or reason this king wants to confer on Kaikeyi the kingdom that rightfully belongs to you?

Characters & Entities

• guru (preceptor/elder authority figure)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Authority is not absolute: when an elder/teacher deviates from righteousness and discernment, correction is justified as a dharmic duty—though it must be done without adharma (excess, cruelty).

What is the narrative situation?

Lakṣmaṇa argues that even revered authority figures can be subject to restraint if they act unrighteously, supporting his protest against the exile decision.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Commitment to moral discernment (viveka) and justice over blind obedience—expressed through Lakṣmaṇa’s intense, confrontational stance.