Shloka 2.87.21

गुहसंवादः—रामस्य रात्रिवासवर्णनम् (Dialogue with Guha: Account of Rama’s Night Halt)

Devanagari script

एतत्तदिङ्गुदीमूलमिदमेव च तत्तृणम्।यस्मिन्रामश्च सीता च रात्रिं तां शयितावुभौ।।।।

Transliteration

niyamya pṛṣṭhe tu talāṅgulitravān śaraiḥ supūrṇāv iṣudhī parantapaḥ |

mahād dhanuḥ sajyam upohya lakṣmaṇo niśām atiṣṭhat parito 'sya kevalam ||

Translation

Lakṣmaṇa, scorcher of foes, wearing guards for palm and fingers, with two quivers filled with arrows upon his back, held his great bow strung and ready, and stood through the night—alone—keeping watch all around Rāma.

Context

Here at the foot of the ingudi tree and upon that bed of grass both Rama and Sita rested that night.

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• Rāma
• bow (dhanuḥ)
• two quivers (iṣudhī)
• talāṅgulitra (hand/finger guards)

FAQs

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

Protective duty as dharma: Lakṣmaṇa’s vigilance shows that love is expressed as responsibility—guarding the vulnerable while they rest.

What is the narrative situation?

While Rāma and Sītā sleep, Lakṣmaṇa keeps armed watch throughout the night.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Lakṣmaṇa’s unwavering loyalty and readiness to defend (bhakti, vīrya, apramāda).