Shloka 3.65.3
रामक्रोधवर्णनम् — Lakshmana’s Counsel to the Enraged Rama
तप्यमानं तथा रामं सीताहरणकर्शितम्।लोकानामभवे युक्तं सांवर्तकमिवानलम्।।3.65.1।।वीक्षमाणं धनुस्सज्यं निश्श्वसन्तं पुनः पुनः।दग्धुकामं जगत्सर्वं युगान्ते च यथा हरम्।।3.65.2।।अदृष्टपूर्वं सङ्क्रुद्धं दृष्ट्वा रामं तु लक्ष्मणः।अब्रवीत्प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यं मुखेन परिशुष्यता।।3.65.3।।
purā bhūtvā mṛdur dāntas sarvabhūtahite rataḥ |
na krodhavaśam āpannaḥ prakṛtiṃ hātum arhasi ||
Formerly you were gentle and self-restrained, devoted to the welfare of all beings; it does not befit you, overtaken by anger, to abandon your natural composure.
Tormented and emaciated due to Sita's abduction, resembling the fire at the time of dissolution of the creation, ready to destroy the world, Rama looked at his bow strung again and again, breathing hot sighs like Lord Siva at the end of the creation, wishing to burn down the world in a rage. Lakshmana who had never seen Rama in such anger before said to him with folded hands and parched throat.
True Dharma is steadiness of character: one should not forsake one’s righteous nature under the pressure of anger.
Lakṣmaṇa begins to calm Rāma, reminding him of his established character and public duty.
Self-restraint (dama) and benevolence (sarvabhūtahita)—the marks of an ideal ruler and protector.