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 ||
もし、法を体するラーマよ、王が惑い、国に乱れが起こることを恐れて、汝が自ら王国を受けることを望まぬのなら、勇士よ、我は汝に誓う。もし汝の国を守らず、岸が大海を抑え護るがごとく支えぬなら、我は英雄の世界に与らぬであろう。
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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