Valmiki Ramayana 2.21.15: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 15
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā
त्वया चैव मया चैव कृत्वा वैरमनुत्तमम्।काऽस्य शक्तिश्श्रियं दातुं भरतायारिशासन।।2.21.15।।
tvayā caiva mayā caiva kṛtvā vairam anuttamam |
kā 'sya śaktiḥ śriyaṃ dātuṃ bharatāyāriśāsana ||2.21.15||
يا قاهر الأعداء، أيُّ قدرةٍ له أن يهب لبهرَتَ الملكَ وبهاءه، بعدما أثار أعظم العداوة منك—ومني أيضاً؟
O mother!, (Lakshmana now tells Kausalya) I am truly loyal to my brother from the bottom of my heart. I swear this by my bow, on my merits earned through charity, by my truthfulness and by the good deeds I have done.
FAQs
It foregrounds the ethics of legitimacy and consent in rulership, but also warns implicitly that anger and threats of violence can themselves become adharma.
Lakṣmaṇa asserts that the king’s decision will create enmity and conflict, questioning the feasibility and righteousness of giving the kingdom to Bharata.
Fearless devotion and readiness to defend Rāma—though expressed through confrontational, warlike resolve.
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