Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 40
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः
Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort
ब्रवीहि कोऽद्यैव मया वियुज्यताम्तवा सुहृत्प्राणयशस्सुहृज्जनैः।यथा तवेयं वसुधा वशे भवेत्तथैव मां शाधि तवास्मि किङ्करः।।।।
bravīhi ko ’dyaiva mayā viyujyatāṃ tavāsuhṛt prāṇa-yaśaḥ-suhṛjjanaiḥ |
yathā taveyaṃ vasudhā vaśe bhavet tathaiva māṃ śādhi tavāsmi kiṅkaraḥ ||
Katakanlah: siapakah musuhmu, supaya pada hari ini juga aku memisahkannya daripada nyawa, kemasyhuran, dan sekutu-sekutunya? Perintahkan aku bagaimana bumi ini dapat berada di bawah kuasamu—aku ini hamba baktimu.
Why do you extol this pitiable and powerless destiny? Why don't you doubt those two vicious persons (Dasaratha and Kaikeyi)?
FAQs
The verse spotlights loyalty and obedience to a righteous superior—but also raises the dharmic limit: service must be guided by right judgment, not mere force.
Lakshmana offers uncompromising action to secure Rama’s sovereignty and punish opponents.
Dāsya-bhāva (servant-like devotion) combined with martial resolve.