Shloka 3.57.6

मारीचवधोत्तरं रामस्य शङ्का-निमित्त-दर्शनं लक्ष्मण-निग्रहश्च (After Maricha’s Slaying: Omens, Anxiety, and Rama’s Rebuke of Lakshmana)

Devanagari script

मारीचेन तु विज्ञाय स्वरमालम्ब्य मामकम्।विक्रुष्टं मृगरूपेण लक्ष्मणश्शृणुयाद्यदि।।3.57.5।।स सौमित्रिस्स्वरं श्रुत्वा तां च हित्वाच मैथिलीम्।तयेह प्रहितः क्षिप्रं मत्सकाशमिहैष्यति।।3.57.6।।

Transliteration

sa saumitriḥ svare śrutvā tāṃ ca hitvā ca maithilīm | tayehā prahitaḥ kṣipraṃ mat-sakāśam ihaiṣyati ||

Translation

Then Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa), hearing that voice, will abandon Maithilī; sent by her, he will quickly come here to my side.

Context

'If Lakshmana listens to Maricha imitating my voice in the form of a deer, he, sent by Sita will come for me at once, leaving her behind.

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa (Saumitri)
• Maithilī (Sītā)
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma can involve competing duties: Lakṣmaṇa’s duty to protect Sītā conflicts with the perceived emergency of aiding Rāma—showing how adharma exploits moral obligations by creating false crises.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma anticipates that the cry (imitating his voice) will prompt Sītā to send Lakṣmaṇa away, leaving her vulnerable.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Responsiveness and loyalty in Lakṣmaṇa—though the verse frames how that very virtue can be manipulated.