Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 14
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः
Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort
मनसाऽपि कथं कामं कुर्यास्त्वं कामवृत्तयोः।तयोस्त्वहितयोर्नित्यं शत्र्वोः पित्रभिधानयोः।।।।
manasā ’pi kathaṃ kāmaṃ kuryās tvaṃ kāma-vṛttayoḥ | tayos tv ahitayor nityaṃ śatrvoḥ pitr-abhidhānayoḥ ||
Bagaimana mungkin engkau, walau dalam fikiran sekalipun, menunaikan kehendak dua orang yang dikuasai nafsu itu—yang sentiasa memusuhi kesejahteraanmu—musuh yang hanya menyandang nama ‘ibu bapa’ ?
As both of them are steeped in passion, they never thought of your well-being. How will you fulfil the wishes of these enemies miscalled parents?
FAQs
True dharma protects well-being and truth; relationships and titles do not automatically sanctify harmful demands driven by kāma (selfish desire).
Lakṣmaṇa, outraged, argues that Rāma should not comply with the wishes of those he sees as acting against Rāma’s interests.
Uncompromising loyalty—Lakṣmaṇa prioritizes Rāma’s rightful good over social labels and coerced obedience.