Valmiki Ramayana 2.23.40: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 40
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः · दैवपुरुषकारविवादः
Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort
ब्रवीहि कोऽद्यैव मया वियुज्यताम् तवा सुहृत्प्राणयशस्सुहृज्जनैः ।
यथा तवेयं वसुधा वशे भवे त्तथैव मां शाधि तवास्मि किङ्करः ॥४०॥
bravīhi ko ’dyaiva mayā viyujyatāṃ tavāsuhṛt prāṇa-yaśaḥ-suhṛjjanaiḥ |
yathā taveyaṃ vasudhā vaśe bhavet tathaiva māṃ śādhi tavāsmi kiṅkaraḥ ||40||
Sage mir: Wer ist dein Feind, den ich noch heute von Leben, Ruhm und seinen Verbündeten trennen soll? Weise mich an, wie diese Erde unter deine Herrschaft komme; ich bin dein Diener.
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
The verse spotlights loyalty and obedience to a righteous superior—but also raises the dharmic limit: service must be guided by right judgment, not mere force.
Lakshmana offers uncompromising action to secure Rama’s sovereignty and punish opponents.
Dāsya-bhāva (servant-like devotion) combined with martial resolve.
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