Shloka 13
पूर्वदिशि सीतामार्गण-नियोगः
Deployment to the Eastern Quarter for the Search of Sita
नाहमस्मिन् प्रभुः कार्ये वानरेश न लक्ष्मणः।त्वमस्य हेतुः कार्यस्य प्रभुश्च प्लवगेश्वर।।4.40.13।।
nāham asmin prabhuḥ kārye vānar-eśa na lakṣmaṇaḥ | tvam asya hetuḥ kāryasya prabhuś ca plavaga-īśvara || 4.40.13 ||
يا ملكَ الفانارا، لستُ أنا ولا لكشمانا مَن يَأمر في هذا الأمر؛ أنتَ سببُ هذه المهمة وأنتَ ربُّها الحقّ، يا سيّدَ القِرَدة.
'O king! you have understood the task to be performed and, therefore, issue orders without the least hesitation.
FAQs
Dharma includes respecting rightful jurisdiction: Rāma acknowledges Sugrīva’s legitimate authority over the Vānara host, showing that righteous goals should be pursued through proper leadership structures.
As preparations for searching Sītā advance, Rāma clarifies that command over the monkey forces belongs to Sugrīva, not to Rāma or Lakṣmaṇa.
Humility and political wisdom—Rāma does not overstep authority and instead empowers the appropriate leader.