Valmiki Ramayana 2.23.31 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 31
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः
Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort
न चाहं कामयेऽत्यर्थं यस्स्याच्छत्रुर्मतो मम।।।।असिना तीक्ष्णधारेण विद्युच्चलितवर्चसा।प्रगृहीतेन वै शत्रुं वज्रिणं वा न कल्पये।।।।
na cāhaṃ kāmaye ’tyarthaṃ yas syāc chatrur mato mama | asinā tīkṣṇadhāreṇa vidyuccalitavarcasā | pragṛhītena vai śatruṃ vajriṇaṃ vā na kalpaye || 2.23.31 ||
Je ne souhaite nullement que quiconque soit tenu pour mon ennemi ; mais lorsque je saisis mon épée au tranchant aigu, éclatante comme l’éclair, je n’épargnerai pas l’ennemi, fût-ce Vajrin, Indra lui-même.
Any one who turns my enemy will not be allowed to remain alive. Holding my sharp-edged sword, lustrous as a flash of lightning, I shall exterminate my enemy even if it were Indra, the bearer of thunder.
FAQs
Dharma is framed as deterrent protection: one should not seek enmity, yet must act decisively when righteousness and rightful authority are threatened.
Lakṣmaṇa, in a surge of protective resolve, proclaims uncompromising readiness to punish any aggressor opposing Rāma’s rightful cause.
Unflinching courage coupled with a declared unwillingness to initiate conflict—strength in service of duty.
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