Shloka 2.31.1
लक्ष्मणस्य वनानुगमन-प्रतिज्ञा तथा आयुध-संग्रहः (Lakshmana’s Vow to Follow Rama and the Retrieval of Divine Weapons)
एवं शृत्वा तु संवादं लक्ष्मणः पूर्वमागतः।बाष्पपर्याकुलमुखः शोकं सोढुमशक्नुवन्।।।।स भ्रातुश्चरणौ गाढं निपीड्य रघुनन्दनः।सीतामुवाचातियशां राघवं च महाव्रतम्।।।।
evaṃ śrutvā tu saṃvādaṃ lakṣmaṇaḥ pūrvam āgataḥ |
bāṣpa-paryākula-mukhaḥ śokaṃ soḍhum aśaknuvan ||
sa bhrātuś caraṇau gāḍhaṃ nipīḍya raghunandanaḥ |
sītām uvāca atiyaśāṃ rāghavaṃ ca mahāvratam ||
Having heard that conversation, Lakṣmaṇa—who had arrived there earlier—stood with his face overwhelmed by tears, unable to endure the sorrow. Pressing his brother’s feet tightly, the joy of the Raghu line spoke to illustrious Sītā and to Rāghava, steadfast in his great vow.
Lakshmana who had already reached there heard the conversation (between Sita and Rama). His eyes brimming with tears, he was unable to bear the grief. He held the feet of his brother tightly and said to the illustrious Sita and Rama of great resolve:
The verse foregrounds dharma as reverence and loyalty within family bonds: Lakṣmaṇa’s bodily gesture (clasping the feet) shows submission to rightful elder authority and unwavering fraternal duty.
Lakṣmaṇa arrives after hearing Rāma and Sītā’s discussion about exile; overcome with emotion, he approaches them and prepares to speak.
Lakṣmaṇa’s bhakti and śaurya tempered by humility—devotion expressed through respect, grief, and readiness to serve.