Valmiki Ramayana 2.22.1-2: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 22, Shlokas 1-2
अभिषेक-निवृत्ति-उपदेशः
Withdrawal of the Coronation: Rama’s Counsel to Lakshmana
अथ तं व्यथया दीनं सविशेषममर्षितम् ।
श्वसन्तमिव नागेन्द्रं रोषविस्फारितेक्षणम् ॥१॥
आसाद्य रामस्सौमित्रिं सुहृदं भ्रातरं प्रियम् ।
उवाचेदं स धैर्येण धारयन्सत्त्वमात्मवान् ॥२॥
atha taṁ vyathayā dīnaṁ saviśeṣam amarṣitam |
śvasantam iva nāgendraṁ roṣavisphāritekṣaṇam ||1||
āsādya rāmaḥ saumitriṁ suhṛdaṁ bhrātaraṁ priyam |
uvāca idaṁ sa dhairyeṇa dhārayan sattvam ātmavān ||2||
Then Rāma, self-possessed and steadfast, approached Saumitri—his dear brother and trusted friend—who, crushed by anguish and inflamed with indignation, seemed like a great serpent hissing, his eyes widened in wrath; and Rāma, holding firmly to inner composure, spoke to him with fortitude.
The self-possessed Rama held his composure and approached his beloved, intimate brother Lakshmana who was (looking) miserable with his mental agony. To him, who was hissing like a king cobra, he said:
FAQs
Dharma here is emotional discipline in crisis: Rama models steadiness (dhairya, sattva) even when injustice provokes anger in others.
Immediately after the coronation plan is overturned, Lakshmana is enraged; Rama approaches him to calm and guide him.
Rama’s self-possession and leadership through calm counsel, contrasted with Lakshmana’s fierce protective anger.
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