Shloka 2.87.2
गुहसंवादः—रामस्य रात्रिवासवर्णनम् (Dialogue with Guha: Account of Rama’s Night Halt)
सुकुमारो महासत्त्वस्सिंहस्कन्धो महाभुजः।पुण्डरीकविशालाक्ष स्तरुणः प्रियदर्शनः।।।।प्रत्याश्वस्य मुहूर्तं तु कालं परमदुर्मनाः।पपात सहसा तोत्रैर्ह्यतिविद्ध इव द्विपः।।।।
tasmin samāviśad rāmaḥ svāstare saha sītayā |
prakṣālya ca tayoḥ pādāv apacakrāma lakṣmaṇaḥ ||
Upon that bedding Rāma lay down with Sītā. Lakṣmaṇa washed their feet and then withdrew to a place at some distance.
The delicate, youthful, highly energetic and mighty-armed Bharata of graceful appearance, with shoulders like that of a lion and wide-eyed like lotus petals, recovered for a moment and with a mind deeply distressed fell down at once like an elephant smitten by a goad.
Respectful service and protection: Lakṣmaṇa combines personal attendance (washing feet) with readiness for duty (withdrawing to keep watch).
Rāma and Sītā settle to rest; Lakṣmaṇa attends them and prepares to guard.
Lakṣmaṇa’s humility and vigilant responsibility.