Shloka 26

लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः

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

Devanagari script

पूर्वं राजर्षिवृत्त्या हि वनवासो विधीयते।प्रजा निक्षिप्य पुत्रेषु पुत्रवत्परिपालने।।।।

Transliteration

pūrvaṃ rājarṣi-vṛttyā hi vana-vāso vidhīyate |

prajā nikṣipya putreṣu putravat-paripālane ||

Translation

In früheren Zeiten, nach dem Brauch der königlichen Weisen, wurde der Rückzug in den Wald erst dann geboten, wenn man das Volk den Söhnen anvertraut hatte, die es wie eigene Kinder behüten sollten.

Word by Word

पूर्वम्formerly, first

राजर्षिवृत्त्याby the practice of royal sages

हिindeed, for

वनवासःforest-dwelling

विधीयतेis ordained/established

प्रजाःsubjects

निक्षिप्यhaving entrusted

पुत्रेषुamong/on the sons

पुत्रवत्like sons

परिपालनेin the act of governing/protecting

Context

Leaving their sons to look after the subjects as their own children, the rajarsis in ancient times used to retire into the forest as per practice.

Characters & Entities

Lakṣmaṇa

Rāma

rājarṣi (royal sages)

prajā (subjects)

FAQs

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

Ācāra (established righteous practice) is presented as a guide: retirement is dharmic only after ensuring subjects’ welfare through responsible succession.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakṣmaṇa supports his argument with precedent: kings traditionally do not abandon governance abruptly; they hand it over properly and only then withdraw.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Respect for traditional statecraft and duty toward subjects—an appeal to rajadharma.