Shloka 2.23.28
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः (Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort)
स चेद्राजन्यनेकाग्रे राज्यविभ्रमशङ्कया।नैवमिच्छसि धर्मात्मन् राज्यं राम त्वमात्मनि।।2.23.27।।प्रतिजाने च ते वीर माऽभूवं वीरलोकभाक्।राज्यं च तव रक्षेयमहं वेलेव सागरम्।।2.23.28।।
pratijāne ca te vīra mā bhūvaṃ vīralokabhāk | rājyaṃ ca tava rakṣeyam ahaṃ vėlēva sāgaram || 2.23.28 ||
O valiant one, I swear this to you: may I never attain the heroes’ world if I do not protect your kingdom—just as the shore holds firm and protects the ocean.
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.
Dharma here is expressed as steadfast guardianship and truthful commitment: Lakṣmaṇa binds himself by a solemn vow to protect rightful rule, placing honor and moral accountability above personal safety or gain.
In Ayodhyā, amid anxiety about political instability and rival kings, Lakṣmaṇa reassures Rāma that he will personally safeguard Rāma’s sovereignty, so that Rāma need not hesitate on account of fear of disorder.
Lakṣmaṇa’s unwavering loyalty and protective courage are emphasized—he treats service to Rāma’s rightful cause as a sacred duty sealed by oath.