Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 49, Shloka 18
शरबन्धनविलापः
The Lament under the Net of Arrows
इष्टबन्धुजनोनित्यंमांचनित्यमनुव्रतः ।इमामद्यगतोऽवस्थांममानार्यस्यदुर्नयैः ।।6.49.18।।
iṣṭabandhujano nityaṃ māṃ ca nityam anuvrataḥ |
imām adya gato 'vasthāṃ mamānāryasya durnayaiḥ || 6.49.18 ||
He who was ever dear to kinsmen, and who ever followed me with steadfast devotion—has today come to this condition because of the misguided course of me, the ignoble one.
"He who was liked by relatives, was following ignoble me ever devoutly has reached this state."
FAQs
Dharma is the honest recognition of causality and responsibility: Rāma interprets Lakṣmaṇa’s suffering as the outcome of his own flawed course, underscoring satya as self-incrimination rather than self-defense.
Rāma reflects on Lakṣmaṇa’s beloved status and constant devotion, and blames himself for Lakṣmaṇa’s present fallen condition.
Lakṣmaṇa’s steadfastness (anuvratatā): unwavering adherence to Rāma’s path, even at great personal cost.