Shloka 2.23.2

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

Devanagari script

तदा तु बध्द्वा भ्रुकुटीं भ्रुवोर्मध्ये नरर्षभः।निशश्वास महासर्पो बिलस्थ इव रोषितः।।।।

Transliteration

adya mat-pauruṣa-hataṃ daivaṃ drakṣyanti vai janāḥ |

yad daivād āhataṃ te ’dya dṛṣṭaṃ rājyābhiṣecanam ||

Translation

Today the people shall see destiny struck down by my valor—just as today they have seen your sacred royal consecration struck down by destiny.

Context

Lakshmana, frowning between his eye-brows, hissed like a great serpent seized with anger in its hole.

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• Rāma
• rājyābhiṣeka (royal consecration)
• janāḥ (people of Ayodhyā)

FAQs

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

It frames the tension between fate (daiva) and human effort (pauruṣa); dharma in the Rāmāyaṇa ultimately values disciplined action aligned with righteousness, not mere defiance driven by anger.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rāma’s consecration is obstructed, Lakṣmaṇa vows to overturn the turn of events through his own strength and initiative.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Determination and protective zeal—Lakṣmaṇa’s readiness to act to restore what he believes is just for Rāma.