Shloka 2.23.13

लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः (Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort)

Devanagari script

यद्ययं किल्बिषाद्भेदः कृतोऽप्येवं न गृह्यते।जायते तत्र मे दुःखं धर्मसङ्गश्च गर्हितः।।।।

Transliteration

yady ayaṃ kilbiṣād bhedaḥ kṛto ’py evaṃ na gṛhyate | jāyate tatra me duḥkhaṃ dharma-saṅgaś ca garhitaḥ ||

Translation

If this treacherous breach—born of guilt—though committed, is still not recognized for what it is, then grief arises in me; and this clinging to ‘dharma’ becomes blameworthy.

Context

I am grieved that even though this plot has been hatched by a treacherous mind, you are not taking it in the right perspective. Censurable is adherence to virtue.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• dharma

FAQs

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

Dharma requires discernment (viveka): if wrongdoing is not acknowledged, then ‘virtue’ becomes complicity—attachment to duty without moral clarity is censured.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakṣmaṇa laments that the scheme against Rāma is not being treated as treachery, because Rāma continues to interpret events through strict duty.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral clarity and intolerance for injustice—Lakṣmaṇa insists that truth about wrongdoing must be named.