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Shloka 18

लक्ष्मणस्य वनानुगमन-प्रतिज्ञा तथा आयुध-संग्रहः

Lakshmana’s Vow to Follow Rama and the Retrieval of Divine Weapons

एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण लक्ष्मण श्श्लक्ष्णया गिरा।प्रत्युवाच तदा रामं वाक्यज्ञो वाक्यकोविदम्।।।।

evam uktaḥ tu rāmeṇa lakṣmaṇaḥ ślakṣṇayā girā | pratyuvāca tadā rāmaṃ vākyajño vākyakovidam ||

So von Rāma angesprochen, der kundig und feinfühlig im Wort ist, erwiderte Lakṣmaṇa, selbst redegewandt, damals Rāma mit sanften Worten.

evamthus
evam:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootevam (अव्यय)
Formअव्यय, manner adverb
uktaḥaddressed/spoken to
uktaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootvac (धातु)
Formकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; predicate to lakṣmaṇaḥ
tubut/indeed
tu:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Roottu (अव्यय)
Formअव्यय, adversative/contrast particle
rāmeṇaby Rama
rāmeṇa:
Kartr̥ (कर्ता/agent in passive)
TypeNoun
Rootrāma (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन
lakṣmaṇaḥLakshmana
lakṣmaṇaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootlakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
ślakṣṇayāgentle/smooth
ślakṣṇayā:
Karana (करण)
TypeAdjective
Rootślakṣṇā (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; विशेषण to girā
girāwith words/voice
girā:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootgir (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन
pratyuvācareplied
pratyuvāca:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootprati + vac (धातु)
Formलिट्-लकार (perfect), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; upasarga prati-
tadāthen
tadā:
Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
TypeIndeclinable
Roottadā (अव्यय)
Formअव्यय, temporal adverb
rāmamto Rama
rāmam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootrāma (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन
vākyajñaḥknower of speech/eloquent
vākyajñaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootvākya-jña (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण to lakṣmaṇaḥ; समासः तत्पुरुषः (vākyaṃ jānāti)
vākyakovidamskilled in speech
vākyakovidam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeAdjective
Rootvākya-kovida (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण to rāmam; समासः तत्पुरुषः (vākye kovidaḥ)

Lakshmana who had already reached there heard the conversation (between Sita and Rama). His eyes brimming with tears, he was unable to bear the grief. He held the feet of his brother tightly and said to the illustrious Sita and Rama of great resolve:

R
Rāma
L
Lakṣmaṇa

FAQs

Dharma of speech: even under emotional strain, one should respond with restraint, clarity, and gentleness—truthful communication without harshness.

After Rāma speaks, Lakṣmaṇa prepares to answer, setting the tone for his request to accompany Rāma and serve him in exile.

Vāk-saṃyama (discipline in speech) and respectful address—Lakṣmaṇa’s loyalty is expressed through controlled, courteous words.