Shloka 2.23.3

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

Devanagari script

तस्य दुष्प्रतिवीक्षं तद्भ्रुकुटीसहितं तदा।बभौ क्रुद्धस्य सिंहस्य मुखस्य सदृशं मुखम्।।।।

Transliteration

tasya duṣprativīkṣaṃ tad bhrukuṭīsahitaṃ tadā | babhau kruddhasya siṃhasya mukhasya sadṛśaṃ mukham || 2.23.03 ||

Translation

Then his face—hard to look upon, with brows knit in a frown—appeared like the face of an enraged lion.

Context

With his frown, his face looked frightening like the face of a lion provoked.

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa (implied by context of adjacent verses)
• siṃha (lion)

FAQs

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

The verse frames anger as ethically significant only when tethered to protection of dharma; the ‘lion-like’ expression signals a guardian’s readiness to confront adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration describes the visible transformation in a key character’s face—fierce and frowning—immediately before/alongside declarations of protecting Rāma’s cause.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fearless vigilance: the character’s intensity reflects resolve to defend what is right, not mere aggression.