Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 96, Shloka 16
चित्रकूटे सैन्यधूलिशब्ददर्शनम्
Alarm at Chitrakūṭa: Lakṣmaṇa sights the approaching army
एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण लक्ष्मणो वाक्यमब्रवीत्।दिधक्षन्निव तां सेनां रुषितः पावको यथा।।2.96.16।।
evam uktas tu rāmeṇa lakṣmaṇo vākyam abravīt |
didhakṣann iva tāṃ senāṃ ruṣitaḥ pāvako yathā ||2.96.16||
Thus addressed by Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa answered—wrathful like fire, as though he would burn that army down.
It is evident that Kaikeyi's son Bharata, who has been consecrated, is coming to slayboth of us desiring the prosperous kingdom (to be without obstacles).
FAQs
The verse frames a moral tension: righteous protection can ignite anger, but dharma ultimately requires that such fury be guided by discernment and justice.
Rāma asks for identification; Lakṣmaṇa, already alarmed by the army, responds with intense anger and suspicion.
Lakṣmaṇa’s fierce loyalty—though it also highlights the need to temper passion.