Valmiki Ramayana 2.23.36 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 36

लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः

Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort

Devanagari script

बहुभिश्चैकमत्यस्यन्नेकेन च बहून्जनान्।विनियोक्ष्याम्यहं बाणान्नृवाजिगजमर्मसु।।।।

Transliteration

bahubhiś caikam atyasyan ekena ca bahūn janān | viniyokṣyāmy ahaṃ bāṇān nṛvājigajamarmasu || 2.23.36 ||

Translation

ഒരുവന്മേൽ അനവധി അമ്പുകൾ വർഷിപ്പിക്കുകയും, ഒരൊറ്റ അമ്പുകൊണ്ട് പലരെയും തുളച്ചിടുകയും ചെയ്ത്, മനുഷ്യൻ, കുതിര, ആന എന്നിവയുടെ മർമ്മസ്ഥാനങ്ങളിലേക്കാണ് ഞാൻ എന്റെ ശരം ലക്ഷ്യമാക്കുക।

Word by Word

• bahubhiḥ: with many (arrows)
• bahubhiḥ: Karana (करणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; साधनवाचक (instrumental)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• ekam: one (arrow)
• ekam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मपद (object)

• atyasyan: hurling / shooting
• atyasyan: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ati + as (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त; पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तृविशेषणम् (of aham)

• ekena: with one (arrow)
• ekena: Karana (करणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: eka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; साधनवाचक

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• bahūn: many
• bahūn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (janān)

• janān: people/men
• janān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• viniyokṣyāmi: I will aim/apply
• viniyokṣyāmi: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi + ni + yuj (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple Future), परस्मैपद; उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; प्रथमा, एकवचन

• bāṇān: arrows
• bāṇān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• nṛ-vāji-gaja-marmasu: in the vital spots of men, horses and elephants
• nṛ-vāji-gaja-marmasu: Adhikarana (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛ (प्रातिपदिक) + vāji (प्रातिपदिक) + gaja (प्रातिपदिक) + marma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (genitive relation: ‘of men/horses/elephants’); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन

Context

Striking each of my foes with many arrows and many with one arrow, I shall aim them at the vitals of men, horses and elephants.

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmaṇa
• Rāma
• bāṇa (arrows)
• gaja (elephants)

FAQs

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

Skill is presented as a dharmic instrument: mastery in warfare is meant to neutralize threats efficiently, minimizing prolonged chaos and safeguarding rightful order.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakṣmaṇa asserts tactical superiority, describing how he can concentrate or distribute arrow-fire to defeat opposing forces.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Competent courage—valor joined with technical mastery (archery) in the service of duty.