Valmiki Ramayana 2.58.27: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 58, Shloka 27
अष्टपञ्चाशः सर्गः (Sarga 58): Daśaratha Questions Sumantra; Messages from the Forest Threshold
राज्ञा तु खलु कैकेय्या लघुत्वाश्रित्य शासनम् ।
कृतं कार्यमकार्यं वा वयं येनाभिपीडिताः ॥२७॥
rājñā tu khalu kaikeyyā laghutvāśritya śāsanam |
kṛtaṃ kāryamakāryaṃ vā vayaṃ yenābhipīḍitāḥ ||27||
राजा ने कैकेयी की बात मान के जो काम किया, वो सही था या गलत, पता नहीं। लेकिन उसकी वजह से हम लोग बहुत दुखी हो गए हैं।
Otherwise if (you think) the mighty-armed (Rama) has gone too far then quickly put me in the chariot, and show me Rama (Carry me to him).
FAQs
The verse presents a complex ethical tension between Rajadharma (king's duty) and familial Dharma. Lakshmana questions whether Dasaratha's act, influenced by Kaikeyi's manipulation, constitutes proper Dharma or adharma. The ethical principle examined is whether a king's personal promise (boon to Kaikeyi) can override his greater duty to justice and righteousness toward an innocent son.
Lakshmana, seething with anger at the injustice of Rama's banishment, confronts Rama near the hermitage. He questions the morality of King Dasaratha's decision, which was made under Kaikeyi's influence. Lakshmana expresses his willingness to fight against this injustice, challenging the very legitimacy of the exile order.
The verse emphasizes Lakshmana's virtue of fierce loyalty (ananya-bhakti) and his commitment to justice. His anger, though seemingly transgressive, stems from his deep sense of righteousness and his refusal to accept adharma even from authority figures. This reflects the complex interplay between filial duty and moral courage.
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