Valmiki Ramayana 2.23.27 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 27
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः
Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort
स चेद्राजन्यनेकाग्रे राज्यविभ्रमशङ्कया।नैवमिच्छसि धर्मात्मन् राज्यं राम त्वमात्मनि।।।।प्रतिजाने च ते वीर माऽभूवं वीरलोकभाक्।राज्यं च तव रक्षेयमहं वेलेव सागरम्।।।।
sa ced rājany anekāgre rājyavibhrama-śaṅkayā |
naivam icchasi dharmātman rājyaṃ rāma tvam ātmani ||
pratijāne ca te vīra mā bhūvaṃ vīra-loka-bhāk |
rājyaṃ ca tava rakṣeyam ahaṃ velā iva sāgaram ||
Si, ô Rāma au cœur juste, tu ne veux pas prendre le royaume pour toi, craignant le trouble du royaume parce que le roi est égaré, alors, ô héros, je te le jure : que je n’atteigne jamais le monde des vaillants si je ne protège ton royaume, comme la rive retient l’océan.
O righteous one, if you apprehend chaos in the kingdom for want of wholehearted support from the (feudatory) kings then, O my valiant brother, I swear to you, I will protect your kingdom like the shore protecting the ocean. Or else, I shall never attain the afterworld of heroes.
FAQs
It elevates satya (truthfulness in vows) and rajadharma (protecting the realm) as binding duties; Lakṣmaṇa offers a dharmic solution—stability and protection—if Rāma hesitates.
Amid the succession crisis, Lakṣmaṇa proposes that if Rāma fears political fragmentation, Lakṣmaṇa himself will guarantee security and order, swearing an oath to that effect.
Unwavering loyalty expressed as a solemn vow, coupled with a commitment to protect the kingdom as a guardian—steadfastness in service.
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