Valmiki Ramayana 2.53.25: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 25
पञ्चाशत्तमः सर्गः (Sarga 53): Rāma’s Lament, Vigil for Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa’s Consolation
एको ह्यहमयोध्यां च पृथिवीं चापि लक्ष्मण ।
तरेयमिषुभिः क्रुद्धो ननु वीर्यमकारणम् ॥२५॥
eko hy aham ayodhyāṃ ca pṛthivīṃ cāpi lakṣmaṇa |
tareyam iṣubhiḥ kruddho nanu vīryam akāraṇam ||25||
O Lakṣmaṇa, wäre ich im Zorn, könnte ich ganz allein Ayodhyā—ja die ganze Erde—mit meinen Pfeilen bezwingen. Doch seine Kraft ohne gerechten Grund zu zeigen, ist nicht recht.
Once enraged, O Lakshmana I can overpower Ayodhya, even the whole world all by myself with my arrows. But exhibition of prowess without any reason is not desirable.
FAQs
True strength is governed by dharma: power should not be used merely to prove capability; it must have a righteous cause and proportional purpose.
Rāma, in exile, speaks to Lakṣmaṇa about his capacity for force, while restraining himself from acting out of anger or pride.
Self-restraint (dama) and principled conduct—Rāma’s refusal to misuse power even when he possesses it.
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