Shloka 2.23.27
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः (Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort)
स चेद्राजन्यनेकाग्रे राज्यविभ्रमशङ्कया।नैवमिच्छसि धर्मात्मन् राज्यं राम त्वमात्मनि।।।।प्रतिजाने च ते वीर माऽभूवं वीरलोकभाक्।राज्यं च तव रक्षेयमहं वेलेव सागरम्।।।।
sa ced rājany anekāgre rājyavibhrama-śaṅkayā |
naivam icchasi dharmātman rājyaṃ rāma tvam ātmani ||
pratijāne ca te vīra mā bhūvaṃ vīra-loka-bhāk |
rājyaṃ ca tava rakṣeyam ahaṃ velā iva sāgaram ||
If, O righteous Rāma, you do not wish to take the kingdom for yourself because the king is distracted and you fear disorder in the realm, then, O hero, I swear this to you: may I never attain the heroes’ world if I do not protect your kingdom—like the shore that holds the ocean in check.
O righteous one, if you apprehend chaos in the kingdom for want of wholehearted support from the (feudatory) kings then, O my valiant brother, I swear to you, I will protect your kingdom like the shore protecting the ocean. Or else, I shall never attain the afterworld of heroes.
It elevates satya (truthfulness in vows) and rajadharma (protecting the realm) as binding duties; Lakṣmaṇa offers a dharmic solution—stability and protection—if Rāma hesitates.
Amid the succession crisis, Lakṣmaṇa proposes that if Rāma fears political fragmentation, Lakṣmaṇa himself will guarantee security and order, swearing an oath to that effect.
Unwavering loyalty expressed as a solemn vow, coupled with a commitment to protect the kingdom as a guardian—steadfastness in service.