Shloka 2.23.40

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

Devanagari script

ब्रवीहि कोऽद्यैव मया वियुज्यताम्तवा सुहृत्प्राणयशस्सुहृज्जनैः।यथा तवेयं वसुधा वशे भवेत्तथैव मां शाधि तवास्मि किङ्करः।।।।

Transliteration

santi dharmopadhā ślakṣṇāḥ dharmātman kiṃ na budhyase |

tayoḥ sucaritaṃ svārthaṃ śāṭhyāt parijihīrṣatoḥ |

Translation

O righteous one, do you not understand? There exist subtle stratagems—deceptions clothed in dharma—by which those two, through sheer craft, seek to seize selfish advantage while maintaining a show of good conduct.

Context

Tell me your enemy who should be deprived of his life, fame and friends. Command me as to how this earth shall come under your control. Now itself I shall do that. I am your servant.

Characters & Entities

• Lakshmana
• Rama
• Dasharatha
• Kaikeyi
• dharma (as a moral cover)

FAQs

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

Lakshmana warns that dharma can be misused as a disguise; true dharma requires discernment to detect hypocrisy and self-serving “righteous” claims.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakshmana argues that the exile plan is being advanced through manipulative tactics presented as morally legitimate.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viveka (moral discernment)—the ability to see through appearances and judge intentions.