Valmiki Ramayana 2.78.3: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 78, Shloka 3
अष्टसप्ततितमः सर्गः · Śatrughna’s Fury and Bharata’s Restraint
Mantharā Episode
बलवान्वीर्यसम्पन्नो लक्ष्मणो नाम योऽप्यसौ ।
किं न मोचयते रामं कृत्वा स्म पितृनिग्रहम् ॥३॥
balavān vīryasampanno lakṣmaṇo nāma yo 'py asau |
kiṁ na mocayate rāmaṁ kṛtvā sma pitṛnigraham ||3||
लक्ष्मण इतना ताकतवाला है, इतना बहादुर है। फिर भी उसने राम को क्यों नहीं बचाया? अपने बाप को क्यों नहीं रोका?
And why did not Lakshmana who is strong and powerful release Rama from exile by restraining our father?
FAQs
It probes the limits of righteous action: even justified outrage must consider dharma—whether ‘restraining the father’ is lawful or an unacceptable breach of filial and royal order.
Śatrughna questions why Lakṣmaṇa did not intervene forcefully to prevent Rāma’s exile, reflecting the family’s turmoil after Daśaratha’s decision.
Lakṣmaṇa’s self-control by implication: despite strength, he does not violate dharma by coercing the king, showing restraint over impulsive force.
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