Shloka 2.31.18
लक्ष्मणस्य वनानुगमन-प्रतिज्ञा तथा आयुध-संग्रहः (Lakshmana’s Vow to Follow Rama and the Retrieval of Divine Weapons)
एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण लक्ष्मण श्श्लक्ष्णया गिरा।प्रत्युवाच तदा रामं वाक्यज्ञो वाक्यकोविदम्।।।।
evaṃ śrutvā tu saṃvādaṃ lakṣmaṇaḥ pūrvam āgataḥ | bāṣpa-paryākula-mukhaḥ śokaṃ soḍhum aśaknuvan ||
Having heard that exchange of words, Lakṣmaṇa—who had arrived there earlier—stood with his face overwhelmed by tears, unable to endure the grief.
Thus addressed by Rama who was an adept in the use of words, eloquent Lakshmana gently replied:
Dharma here appears as deep familial solidarity: Lakṣmaṇa’s sorrow is not self-centered but arises from devotion to his brother and the household’s moral crisis.
Lakṣmaṇa arrives and hears the ongoing dialogue (between Rāma and Sītā in context) and is emotionally shaken by the impending separation/exile situation.
Empathy and fraternal devotion—Lakṣmaṇa’s inability to bear grief signals his intense loyalty and shared burden in adversity.