Shloka 4.31.12

लक्ष्मणक्रोधः सुग्रीवप्रबोधनं च (Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Summoning of Sugriva)

Devanagari script

यथोक्तकारी वचनमुत्तरं चैव सोत्तरम्।बृहस्पतिसमो बुद्ध्या मत्वा रामानुजस्तदा।।कामक्रोधसमुत्थेन भ्रातुः कोपाग्निना वृतः।प्रभञ्जन इवाप्रीतः प्रययौ लक्ष्मणस्तदा।।

Transliteration

yathoktākārī vacanam uttaraṃ caiva sottaram |

bṛhaspatisamo buddhyā matvā rāmānujas tadā ||

kāmakrodhasamutthena bhrātuḥ kopāgninā vṛtaḥ |

prabhañjana ivāprītaḥ prayayau lakṣmaṇas tadā ||

Translation

Then Lakṣmaṇa—Rāma’s younger brother—obedient to command and wise as Bṛhaspati, considered what reply should be given and how it should be framed. And, wrapped in the fire of his brother’s anger, born of love and wrath, he set out displeased, like a raging wind.

Context

Then Lakshmana, obedient, intelligent like Brihaspati, like a tempest, encompassed by the fire of anger and deliberating in his mind as to the possible questions from Sugriva and the reply from him.

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• Rāma
• Bṛhaspati

FAQs

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

Dharma here is disciplined service and responsible speech: Lakṣmaṇa obeys Rāma’s intent and prepares a measured reply, showing that even justified anger should be guided by buddhi (reason) and maryādā (propriety).

What is the narrative situation?

After Sugrīva delays fulfilling his promise to help search for Sītā, Lakṣmaṇa sets out toward Kiṣkindhā, thinking through what to say and how to answer potential objections.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Obedience joined with intelligence: Lakṣmaṇa is yathoktākārī (acts as instructed) yet also bṛhaspati-sama (counsel-like in wisdom), combining loyalty with prudent communication.