Shloka 4.31.30
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः सुग्रीवप्रबोधनं च (Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Summoning of Sugriva)
बाणशल्यस्फुरज्जिह्वस्सायकासनभोगवान्।।स्वतेजोविषसङ्घातः पञ्चास्य इव पन्नगः।
bāṇaśalyasphurajjihvaḥ sāyakāsanabhogavān | svatejoviṣasaṅghātaḥ pañcāsya iva pannagaḥ ||
He seemed like a five-hooded serpent: the iron tips of his arrows were like flickering fangs, his bow like the coiled body, and the blaze of his own radiance like concentrated venom.
His bow was like the hood of a snake,with the iron nails fixed on the tip of his arrows like moving fangs and his own brightness like the venom of the five-hooded snake.
Dharma here is shown as righteous resolve: Lakshmana’s formidable, controlled power is directed toward upholding Rama’s cause and compelling accountability, not toward aimless violence.
Lakshmana arrives at Kishkindha to confront Sugriva for delay; the poet describes Lakshmana’s terrifying martial presence through a serpent simile.
Lakshmana’s steadfast loyalty and disciplined wrath—anger harnessed in service of duty to Rama.