Shloka 3
अष्टसप्ततितमः सर्गः — Śatrughna’s Fury and Bharata’s Restraint
Mantharā Episode
बलवान्वीर्यसम्पन्नो लक्ष्मणो नाम योऽप्यसौ।किं न मोचयते रामं कृत्वा स्म पितृनिग्रहम्।।।।
balavān vīryasampanno lakṣmaṇo nāma yo 'py asau |
kiṁ na mocayate rāmaṁ kṛtvā sma pitṛnigraham ||
Dan mengapa Lakṣmaṇa, yang gagah perkasa dan penuh keberanian, tidak membebaskan Rāma dengan menahan ayahanda kita?
Kaikeyi, deeply distressed at those harsh and grievous words was afraid of Satrughna and sought the protection of her son Bharata.
FAQs
It probes the limits of righteous action: even justified outrage must consider dharma—whether ‘restraining the father’ is lawful or an unacceptable breach of filial and royal order.
Śatrughna questions why Lakṣmaṇa did not intervene forcefully to prevent Rāma’s exile, reflecting the family’s turmoil after Daśaratha’s decision.
Lakṣmaṇa’s self-control by implication: despite strength, he does not violate dharma by coercing the king, showing restraint over impulsive force.