Valmiki Ramayana 2.23.8 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 8
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः
Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort
सन्ति धर्मोपधा श्लक्ष्णाः धर्मात्मन्किं न बुध्यसे।।।।तयोस्सुचरितं स्वार्थं शाठ्यात्परिजिहीर्षतोः।
santi dharmopadhā ślakṣṇāḥ dharmātman kiṃ na budhyase |
tayoḥ sucaritaṃ svārthaṃ śāṭhyāt parijihīrṣatoḥ |
হে ধর্মাত্মা, তুমি কি বোঝ না? ধর্মের আবরণে ঢাকা সূক্ষ্ম ছল-কৌশল আছে। ঐ দু’জন কপটতায় স্বার্থ লুটতে চায়, আর বাহ্যত সচ্চরিত্রের ভান ধরে রাখতে চায়।
Tell me your enemy who should be deprived of his life, fame and friends. Command me as to how this earth shall come under your control. Now itself I shall do that. I am your servant.
FAQs
Lakshmana warns that dharma can be misused as a disguise; true dharma requires discernment to detect hypocrisy and self-serving “righteous” claims.
Lakshmana argues that the exile plan is being advanced through manipulative tactics presented as morally legitimate.
Viveka (moral discernment)—the ability to see through appearances and judge intentions.
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