Valmiki Ramayana 2.23.18 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 18

लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः

Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort

Devanagari script

द्रक्ष्यन्ति त्वद्य दैवस्य पौरुषं पुरुषस्य च।दैवमानुषयोरद्य व्यक्ता व्यक्तिर्भविष्यति।।।।

Transliteration

drakṣyanti tv adya daivasya pauruṣaṃ puruṣasya ca | daiva-mānuṣayor adya vyaktā vyaktir bhaviṣyati ||

Translation

Heute werden sie die Macht des Geschicks und die Macht des Menschen sehen; heute wird der Unterschied zwischen Schicksal und menschlichem Handeln deutlich offenbar.

Word by Word

• द्रक्ष्यन्ति: will see
• द्रक्ष्यन्ति: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Future), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (contrast/emphasis)

• अद्य: today
• अद्य: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Time setting)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अद्य (अव्यय)
• Form: काल-अव्यय (today)

• दैवस्य: of fate
• दैवस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• पौरुषम्: manly power, effort
• पौरुषम्: Karma (कर्म/Object of द्रक्ष्यन्ति)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पौरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• पुरुषस्य: of man
• पुरुषस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• दैव-मानुषयोः: of fate and man
• दैव-मानुषयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैव (प्रातिपदिक) + मानुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (दैवम् + मानुषम्); षष्ठी, द्विवचन

• अद्य: today
• अद्य: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Time setting)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अद्य (अव्यय)
• Form: काल-अव्यय

• व्यक्ता: manifest, clear
• व्यक्ता: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: व्यक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (of व्यक्तिः)

• व्यक्तिः: distinction, manifestation
• व्यक्तिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject of भविष्यति)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• भविष्यति: will be
• भविष्यति: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Future), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Context

Today all will witness the power of destiny and the power of man. The difference between man and destiny will be manifested today.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• daiva (destiny)

FAQs

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

Dharma is not passive resignation; it can demand visible, courageous action that clarifies what is fate and what is chosen responsibility.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakṣmaṇa climaxes his appeal by declaring that the present moment will reveal whether ‘destiny’ rules—or whether human effort can change outcomes.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Leadership through decisive courage—Lakṣmaṇa urges a demonstrable stand rather than quiet submission.