Valmiki Ramayana 2.52.76: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 76
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
Setting: On the boat at Gaṅgā bank (embarkation)Places named: Gaṅgā (implied by context)Boarding sequence for Gaṅgā crossing
स भ्रातुः शासनं श्रुत्वा सर्वमप्रतिकूलयन् ।
आरोप्य मैथिलीं पूर्वमारुरोहाऽऽत्मवां स्ततः ॥७६॥
sa bhrātuḥ śāsanaṃ śrutvā sarvam apratikūlayan |
āropya maithilīṃ pūrvam ārurōha ātmavāṃs tataḥ ||76||
Als er den Befehl seines Bruders vernahm und ihm in nichts widersprach, ließ der selbstbeherrschte Lakṣmaṇa zuerst Maithilī (Sītā) einsteigen und stieg dann selbst ein.
Sandhi Notes
- सर्वमप्रतिकूलयन् = सर्वम् + अप्रतिकूलयन्
- (IAST shows ārurōhātmavāṅ; resolve as आरुरोह + आत्मवान्.)
Having heard his brother's command the self-controlled Lakshmana did as he was told.He first helped Sita get into the boat and thereafter boarded it himself.
The teaching
True strength is obedience aligned with righteousness: first secure others’ safety, then attend to oneself.
- Ethical theme
- Sevā-dharma (service) and śāsana-anusaraṇa (following rightful command)
For your practice
Practice anukūlatā: reduce inner resistance to rightful duties; serve with self-control.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace), with Vira (heroism)
- Mood
- Disciplined, dutiful, steady
Themes
- Dharma
- Obedience
- Seva (service)
- Maryada
- Ethics
Ātma-vaśyatā (self-governance) as the mark of sattva; action without inner resistance mirrors karma-yoga—doing what is to be done without egoic friction.
Self-control (dama) and obedience to right order echo Upaniṣadic virtues that steady the mind for higher aims.
- Lakshmana and Rama
- Obedient_younger_brother; disciple-like service (devoted, compliance)
- Lakshmana and Sita
- Protective_assistance_to_sister-in-law (respectful, protection)
- Rama and Sita
- Husband ensuring wife’s precedence in safety (implied) (care)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.52.75 (command); Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.52.77 (Rāma boards next)
Bhakti literature’s ideal of dāsya-bhāva (service) as exemplified by Lakṣmaṇa
Lakṣmaṇa’s consistent vow of service in Ayodhyākāṇḍa (earlier declarations of accompanying Rāma)
Anuṣṭup
Solemn
Even, restrained svara reflecting ‘ātma-vān’ and ‘apratikūlayan’
FAQs
Dharma is disciplined obedience and service within rightful relationships—Lakṣmaṇa fulfills Rāma’s instruction precisely and respectfully.
Lakṣmaṇa carries out Rāma’s directions during the Gaṅgā crossing by helping Sītā board first.
Humility and self-control (ātmavat)—Lakṣmaṇa acts without ego, prioritizing duty and safety.
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