Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 31
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः
Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort
न चाहं कामयेऽत्यर्थं यस्स्याच्छत्रुर्मतो मम।।।।असिना तीक्ष्णधारेण विद्युच्चलितवर्चसा।प्रगृहीतेन वै शत्रुं वज्रिणं वा न कल्पये।।।।
na cāhaṃ kāmaye ’tyarthaṃ yas syāc chatrur mato mama | asinā tīkṣṇadhāreṇa vidyuccalitavarcasā | pragṛhītena vai śatruṃ vajriṇaṃ vā na kalpaye || 2.23.31 ||
Aku sama sekali tidak menginginkan sesiapa pun dianggap musuhku; namun apabila aku menggenggam pedang bermata tajam, menyala seperti kilat, aku tidak akan mengampuni musuh itu—walaupun dia Vajrin (Indra) sendiri.
Any one who turns my enemy will not be allowed to remain alive. Holding my sharp-edged sword, lustrous as a flash of lightning, I shall exterminate my enemy even if it were Indra, the bearer of thunder.
FAQs
Dharma is framed as deterrent protection: one should not seek enmity, yet must act decisively when righteousness and rightful authority are threatened.
Lakṣmaṇa, in a surge of protective resolve, proclaims uncompromising readiness to punish any aggressor opposing Rāma’s rightful cause.
Unflinching courage coupled with a declared unwillingness to initiate conflict—strength in service of duty.