Shloka 4.31.14

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

Devanagari script

सालतालाश्वकर्णांश्च तरसा पातयन्बहून्।पर्यस्यन्गिरिकूटानि द्रुमानन्यांश्च वेगतः।।शिलाश्च शकलीकुर्वन्पद्भ्यां गज इवाशुगः।दूरामेकपदं त्यक्त्वा ययौ कार्यवशाद्द्रुतम्।।

Transliteration

sālatālāśvakarṇāṃś ca tarasā pātayan bahūn |

paryasyan girikūṭāni drumān anyāṃś ca vegataḥ ||

śilāś ca śakalīkurvan padbhyāṃ gaja ivāśugaḥ |

dūrām ekapadaṃ tyaktvā yayau kāryavaśād drutam ||

Translation

Driven by urgency, Lakṣmaṇa sped on, forcefully felling many sāla, tāla, and aśvakarṇa trees, and flinging aside rocky crags and other trees in his rush. Like a swift elephant he crushed stones beneath his feet; and, covering great distance in a single stride, he hurried on to accomplish his task.

Context

'Lakshmana rushed on foot speedily, cutting the branches of sala, tala and asvakarna and other trees on the way and forcibly turning and crushing the mountain rocks into pieces with a single foot, like a swift-moving elephant taking long strides, to carry out the task.

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• Kiṣkindhā (implied destination)

FAQs

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

Dharma is portrayed as resolute action for a righteous objective: Lakṣmaṇa’s intensity is directed toward fulfilling duty (kārya), not personal gain.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakṣmaṇa hastens toward Kiṣkindhā to press Sugrīva to honor his promise to assist Rāma in the search for Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kārya-niṣṭhā (task-focused determination): he allows no obstacle to slow him down.