Shloka 12

लक्ष्मणोपदेशः

Lakshmana Consoles Rama on Fate, Fortitude, and Right Action

Devanagari script

शक्रादिष्वपि देवेषु वर्तमानौ नयानयौ।श्रूयेते नरशार्दूल न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि।।3.66.12।।

Transliteration

śakrādiṣv api deveṣu vartamānau nayānayau |

śrūyete naraśārdūla na tvaṃ śocitum arhasi || 3.66.12 ||

Translation

ಹೇ ನರಶಾರ್ದೂಲನೇ! ಶಕ್ರಾದಿ ದೇವರಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ನಯವೂ ಅನಯವೂ—ಧರ್ಮಮಾರ್ಗವೂ ಅದರ ವಿರುದ್ಧವೂ—ಪ್ರವರ್ತಿಸುತ್ತವೆ ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿಬರುತ್ತದೆ; ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ನೀನು ಶೋಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಳುಗುವುದು ಯುಕ್ತವಲ್ಲ.

Word by Word

• śakrādiṣu: among Indra and others
• śakrādiṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakra + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī (7th/सप्तमी), Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa: śakra-ādi (Indra and others)

• api: even
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Avadhāraṇa particle (even/also)

• deveṣu: among the gods
• deveṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Saptamī, Bahuvacana

• vartamānau: existing/present
• vartamānau: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vṛt (वृत् धातु)
• Form: Śatṛ-pratyaya (present active participle/शतृ), Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Dvivacana; predicate adjective of nayānayau

• nayānayau: right and wrong (policy and non-policy)
• nayānayau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: naya + anaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Dvivacana; dvandva: nayaḥ ca anayaḥ ca

• śrūyete: are heard of
• śrūyete: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (श्रु धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present), Prathama-puruṣa, Dvivacana, Ātmanepada; passive/impersonal sense 'are heard of'

• naraśārdūla: O tiger among men
• naraśārdūla: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara + śārdūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Sambodhana, Ekavacana

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Niṣedha-avyaya

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• śocitum: to grieve
• śocitum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śuc (शुच् धातु)
• Form: Tumun-pratyaya (infinitive/तुमुन्)

• arhasi: ought/are fit
• arhasi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: arh (अर्ह् धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present), Madhyama-puruṣa, Ekavacana, Parasmaipada

Context

It is I heard that Indra and other deities are also governed by the principle of justice. Therefore, you should not bewail, O tiger among men.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Lakshmana
• Shakra (Indra)
• Devas (gods)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma requires self-mastery amid moral complexity: the world contains both naya and anaya; one must not surrender to grief but act with steadiness.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakshmana challenges Rama’s lamentation by noting that even divine realms are not free from reversals, implying Rama must rise to action.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s expected kingship-virtue: composure and readiness to respond wisely rather than emotionally.