Valmiki Ramayana 2.23.26 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 26
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः
Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort
पूर्वं राजर्षिवृत्त्या हि वनवासो विधीयते।प्रजा निक्षिप्य पुत्रेषु पुत्रवत्परिपालने।।।।
pūrvaṃ rājarṣi-vṛttyā hi vana-vāso vidhīyate |
prajā nikṣipya putreṣu putravat-paripālane ||
Autrefois, selon la conduite des rois-sages, la retraite en forêt n’était prescrite qu’après avoir confié le peuple à ses fils, qui le protégeraient comme leurs propres enfants.
Leaving their sons to look after the subjects as their own children, the rajarsis in ancient times used to retire into the forest as per practice.
FAQs
Ācāra (established righteous practice) is presented as a guide: retirement is dharmic only after ensuring subjects’ welfare through responsible succession.
Lakṣmaṇa supports his argument with precedent: kings traditionally do not abandon governance abruptly; they hand it over properly and only then withdraw.
Respect for traditional statecraft and duty toward subjects—an appeal to rajadharma.
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