Valmiki Ramayana 2.23.2 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 2
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः
Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort
तदा तु बध्द्वा भ्रुकुटीं भ्रुवोर्मध्ये नरर्षभः।निशश्वास महासर्पो बिलस्थ इव रोषितः।।।।
tadā tu baddhvā bhru-kuṭīṃ bhruvor madhye nararṣabhaḥ |
niśaśvāsa mahāsarpo bilastha iva roṣitaḥ ||
Alors Lakṣmaṇa, le meilleur des hommes, fronça le sourcil au milieu du front et expira rudement, tel un grand serpent, irrité au fond de son antre.
Today people will see destiny defeated by my valour just as they saw your consecration defeated (obstructed) by destiny.
FAQs
The verse highlights how intense emotion (anger) arises in the face of perceived injustice; dharma requires that such anger be governed and redirected toward righteous action rather than rash harm.
In Ayodhyā, as events move to block Rāma’s consecration and send him to exile, Lakṣmaṇa reacts with visible, barely contained fury.
Lakṣmaṇa’s fierce loyalty and protective resolve toward Rāma, even though it borders on uncontrolled wrath.
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