Shloka 56
गोदावरीतटे सीतान्वेषणम्
The Search for Sītā at the Godāvarī
मां प्राप्य हि गुणो दोषस्संवृत्तः पश्य लक्ष्मण।।।।अद्यैव सर्वभूतानां रक्षसामभवाय च।संहृत्यैव शशिज्योत्स्नां महान्सूर्य इवोदितः।।।।संहृत्यैव गुणान्सर्वान्मम तेजः प्रकाशते।
māṃ prāpya hi guṇo doṣaḥ saṃvṛttaḥ paśya lakṣmaṇa |
adyaiva sarvabhūtānāṃ rakṣasām abhavāya ca |
saṃhṛtyaiva śaśijyotsnāṃ mahān sūrya ivoditaḥ |
saṃhṛtyaiva guṇān sarvān mama tejaḥ prakāśate |
O Lakṣmaṇa, sieh: Was man einen Makel nennt, wird zum Verdienst, wenn es sich meinem rechten Vorhaben anschließt. Noch heute, zur Vernichtung der Rākṣasas und zum Schutz aller Wesen, wird mein Glanz aufsteigen wie die große Sonne, die den Mondschein überstrahlt; so wird mein Tejas leuchten und alle geringeren Erwägungen verdunkeln.
O Lakshmana! even demerits turn into merits when they come in contact with me. Just as the Sun shines, effacing the moonlight, my brilliance will outshine my demerits of exterminating all (wicked) beings including the demons.
FAQs
Dharma here is framed as protective justice: force that might appear blameworthy becomes ethically justified when directed toward safeguarding beings and restraining destructive evil (rakṣasas).
After Sītā has been taken, Rāma speaks to Lakṣmaṇa in rising wrath and resolve, declaring that his power will now manifest for the destruction of the rākṣasas.
Rāma’s protector-role (rakṣaṇa-dharma): decisive strength used in service of righteousness, not personal cruelty—though expressed through intense grief and anger.