Valmiki Ramayana 2.23.5 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 5
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः
Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort
अस्थाने सम्भ्रमो यस्य जातो वै सुमहानयम्।।।।धर्मदोष प्रसङ्गेन लोकस्यानतिशङ्कया।कथंह्येतदसम्भ्रान्तस्त्वद्विधो वक्तुमर्हति।।।।यथा दैवमशौडीरं शौण्डीर क्षत्रियर्षभ।
asthāne sambhramo yasya jāto vai sumahān ayam |
dharmadoṣa-prasaṅgena lokasyānatiśaṅkayā |
kathaṃ hy etad asambhrāntas tvad-vidho vaktum arhati |
yathā daivam aśauḍīraṃ śauṇḍīra kṣatriyarṣabha |
En un moment inopportun, une grande hâte s’est levée en toi, par crainte que le dharma ne soit lésé et par anxiété devant le jugement des hommes. Comment un homme tel que toi, inébranlable en courage, pourrait-il parler comme si le destin était puissant, alors qu’en vérité il est sans force, ô taureau parmi les kshatriyas ?
These arms, O Rama! which are fit for sandalwood cream, for wearing armlets, for distributing wealth and for protecting friends, will perform the worthy act of subduing those who are creating obstruction to your consecration.
FAQs
Lakshmana argues that dharma should not be reduced to passive fatalism; one must act with courage and discernment instead of surrendering to “destiny” when injustice is perceived.
Lakshmana challenges Rama’s calm acceptance of exile, criticizing the appeal to fate and public opinion.
Lakshmana’s valor and insistence on moral agency—his belief that righteous action can and should alter outcomes.
Ask anything about this verse
Curious about the meaning, context, or a word? Ask, and continue the conversation in the Vedapath app.
A free Google sign-in keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Valmiki Ramayana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.