Shloka 12
लक्ष्मणोपदेशः
Lakshmana Consoles Rama on Fate, Fortitude, and Right Action
शक्रादिष्वपि देवेषु वर्तमानौ नयानयौ।श्रूयेते नरशार्दूल न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि।।3.66.12।।
śakrādiṣv api deveṣu vartamānau nayānayau |
śrūyete naraśārdūla na tvaṃ śocitum arhasi || 3.66.12 ||
Ô tigre parmi les hommes, on dit que même parmi les dieux—Indra et les autres—agissent à la fois la juste conduite et son contraire. Puisque de telles fluctuations existent même là, tu ne dois pas t’abîmer dans la plainte.
It is I heard that Indra and other deities are also governed by the principle of justice. Therefore, you should not bewail, O tiger among men.
FAQs
Dharma requires self-mastery amid moral complexity: the world contains both naya and anaya; one must not surrender to grief but act with steadiness.
Lakshmana challenges Rama’s lamentation by noting that even divine realms are not free from reversals, implying Rama must rise to action.
Rama’s expected kingship-virtue: composure and readiness to respond wisely rather than emotionally.