Shloka 23
Virādha-saṃvādaḥ — Encounter with Virādha in the Daṇḍakāraṇya
Aranya Kanda, Sarga 2
अनाथ इव भूतानां नाथस्त्वं वासवोपमः।मया प्रेष्येण काकुत्स्थ किमर्थं परितप्यसे।।।।
anātha iva bhūtānāṃ nāthas tvaṃ vāsavopamaḥ |
mayā preṣyeṇa kākutstha kimarthaṃ paritapyase ||3.2.23||
ഹേ കാകുത്സ്ഥാ! നീ വാസവൻ (ഇന്ദ്രൻ) പോലെയുള്ള സർവ്വഭൂതങ്ങളുടെ നാഥൻ ആകുന്നു; ഞാൻ നിന്റെ സേവകനായി ഇവിടെ നിൽക്കുമ്പോൾ നീ അനാഥനെന്നപോലെ എന്തിന് ദുഃഖിക്കുന്നു?
O Rama, you are, like Indra, lord of all beings. What makes you feel sad like an orphan when I am at your service like a servant?
FAQs
The dharma of sevā (service): loyal assistance to the righteous leader, strengthening him to act justly rather than despair.
Lakshmana responds to Rama’s grief, urging him to regain composure because support and strength are present.
Lakshmana’s humility and steadfast devotion: he identifies as Rama’s servant, dedicated to protecting Rama’s mission and Sita.