Shloka 4.30.16

शरत्प्रवेशे रामविलापः तथा सुग्रीवप्रमादे लक्ष्मणप्रेषणम् (Autumn’s Onset: Rama’s Lament and Lakshmana Sent to Sugriva)

Devanagari script

किमार्य कामस्य वशंगतेनकिमात्मपौरुष्यपराभवेन।अयं सदा संह्रियते समाधिःकिमत्र योगेन निवर्तितेन।।

Transliteration

kim ārya kāmasya vaśaṃgatenā

kim ātmapauruṣyaparābhavena |

ayaṃ sadā saṃhriyate samādhiḥ

kim atra yogena nivartitena ||4.30.16||

Translation

O noble brother, why submit to desire, and why let your own courage be overcome? Your steady composure is slipping away—why forsake self-discipline and inner steadiness at such a time?

Context

'O revered brother! why do you succumb to passion and loss of self-confidence? Why is the usual composure of your mind withdrawn? Why do you desist from yaga?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Kāma (desire/passion, personified concept)
• Yoga (discipline/self-control, as a concept)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires self-mastery: grief and longing must not overthrow resolve. Lakṣmaṇa urges Rāma to return to disciplined action rooted in truth and duty rather than surrendering to passion.

What is the narrative situation?

After finding Rāma overcome by sorrow, Lakṣmaṇa counsels him sharply, insisting he regain composure so the mission (search for Sītā and keeping promises) can proceed.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Lakṣmaṇa’s moral courage (dharma-bala): the willingness to speak corrective truth to a revered elder for the sake of righteous action.