Shloka 2.59.33
एकोनषष्ठितमः सर्गः (Sarga 59): सुमन्त्रवाक्यं, अयोध्याविषादः, दाशरथिशोकसागरः
रामशोकमहाभोगस्सीताविरहपारगः।श्वसितोर्मि महावर्तो बाष्पफेनजालाविलः।।2.59.33।।बाहुविक्षेपमीनौघो विक्रन्दित महास्वनः।प्रकीर्णकेशशैवालः कैकेयीबडबामुखः।।2.59.34।।ममाश्रुवेगप्रभवः कुब्जावाक्यमहाग्रहः।वरवेलो नृशंसाया रामप्रव्राजनायतः।।2.59.35।।यस्मिन्बत निमग्नोऽहं कौसल्ये राघवं विना।दुस्तरो जीवता देवि मयाऽयं शोकसागरः।।2.59.36।।
agrato lakṣmaṇo yātaḥ pālayan raghunandanam | tāṁs tathā gacchato dṛṣṭvā nivṛtto 'smy avaśas tadā || 2.59.4 ||
Lakṣmaṇa went ahead, guarding Rāma, the joy of the Raghu line. Seeing them depart in that manner, I turned back then—helpless.
O queen Kausalya!, I am completely immersed in this ocean of sorrow. The misfortune due to Rama's separation is its breadth. Sita's separation is the other end of the shore. Sighs are its turbulent waves and whirlpools. Tears are its foam and turbid waters. Waving of arms is its fishes. Cries of agony are its roars. My dishevelled hair is its moss. Kaikeyi is the mouth of Badaba. My copious tears are its source. Words of the hunchback (Manthara) are the monstrous crocodiles. The cruel boons to Kaikeyi are its shores. Without Rama I cannot cross this sea of sorrow alive. Ah, whata pity!
The verse highlights dharma as protective duty and loyal service: Lakṣmaṇa fulfills his obligation to safeguard Rāma, while the speaker acknowledges the painful necessity of returning despite personal grief.
Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa are departing toward the forest for exile; Sumantra watches them go and then returns to Ayodhyā, unable to alter the decision.
Lakṣmaṇa’s vigilance and devotion (sevā-bhāva) are emphasized—he goes ahead as a guardian, embodying steadfast fraternal loyalty.