Valmiki Ramayana 2.21.38: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 38

अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः · Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma

based persuasion of Kausalyā

Spoken by Rama to LakshmanaSetting: Ayodhya palace (pre-departure counsel)

Devanagari script

तव लक्ष्मण जानामि मयि स्नेहमनुत्तमम् ।

विक्रमं चैव सत्त्वं च तेजश्च सुदुरासदम् ॥३८॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.21.38

Transliteration

tava lakṣmaṇa jānāmi mayi sneham anuttamam |

vikramaṃ caiva sattvaṃ ca tejaś ca sudurāsadam ||38||

Translation

হে লক্ষ্মণ, আমি জানি আমার প্রতি তোমার অতুল স্নেহ; তোমার পরাক্রম, চরিত্রবল ও অপ্রতিরোধ্য তেজও আমি জানি।

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Word by Word

• tava: your
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)

• lakṣmaṇa: O Lakshmana
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन
• Role: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)

• jānāmi: I know
• Type: Verb
• Root: jñā (धातु)
• Form: लट्, उत्तमपुरुष (1st), एकवचन; परस्मैपद
• Role: Kriya (क्रिया)

• mayi: in me/towards me
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; 'in me/towards me'
• Role: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)

• sneham: affection
• Type: Noun
• Root: sneha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• anuttamam: unsurpassed
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anuttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणं स्नेहम् प्रति
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• vikramam: valour
• Type: Noun
• Root: vikrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• ca: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)

• eva: indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (emphasis)
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)

• sattvam: strength/courage
• Type: Noun
• Root: sattva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• ca: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)

• tejaḥ: splendour/energy
• Type: Noun
• Root: tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• ca: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)

• sudurāsadam: unassailable
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su-durāsada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (su + durāsada) 'very hard to assail' (qualifying tejaḥ)
• Role: Karma (कर्म)
• Compound: Karmadharaya

Sandhi Notes

• स्नेहमनुत्तमम् = sneham + anuttamam
• चैव = ca + eva
• तेजश्च = tejaḥ + ca

Context

I know, O Lakshmana, your profound affection for me. I also know your valour, strength and unassailable energy.

The teaching

Recognizing and honoring another’s devotion and strength stabilizes collective resolve in dharmic trials.

Ethical theme

Saṅgha-dharma (companionship/loyalty)

For your practice

Cultivates bhāva of sevā and loyalty; Lakshmana becomes an archetype of dāsya-bhakti toward Rama.

Mood and themes

Rasa

Vira (heroism), with Shringara (love)

Mood

Admiring, brotherly, steadfast

Themes

• Dharma
• Fraternal loyalty
• Virtue
• Maryada

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Lakshmana

FAQs

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

Dharma here includes recognizing and honoring loyal service: Rama acknowledges Lakshmana’s devotion and capacities before directing him, modeling respectful leadership.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama turns from consoling his mother to speaking with Lakshmana, preparing him for what must be done next in the unfolding exile situation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Lakshmana’s devotion (bhakti-like fraternity) and heroic capability—love expressed through readiness to act.