Shloka 3.66.20
लक्ष्मणोपदेशः — Lakshmana Consoles Rama on Fate, Fortitude, and Right Action
किं तेन सर्वनाशेन कृतेन पुरुषर्षभ।तमेव त्वं रिपुं पापं विज्ञायोद्धर्तुमर्हसि।।3.66.20।।
mahatā tapasā rāma mahatā cāpi karmaṇā |
rājñā daśarathenāsi labdho 'mṛtam ivāmaraiḥ || 3.66.3 ||
O Rama, by great austerity and by great deeds, King Dasharatha obtained you—just as the gods obtained amrita, the nectar of immortality.
O best among men ! where is the good in the destruction of all? Know your sinful enemy before you uproot him.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkēya ādikāvyē araṇyakāṇḍē ṣaṭṣaṣṭitamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the sixtysixth sarga of Aranyakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Dharma of honoring one’s origins and purpose: Rama is reminded that his life is a hard-won boon meant for protection and righteousness, not collapse in despair.
Lakshmana motivates Rama by recalling Dasharatha’s extraordinary effort in obtaining him as a son.
Rama’s worthiness and destined responsibility as a protector, grounded in noble lineage and divine purpose.