Valmiki Ramayana 2.97.28: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 97, Shloka 28
भरतागमनशङ्कानिवारणम् / Dispelling Suspicion about Bharata’s Arrival
Chitrakuta Encampment
Setting: Citrakūṭa region (near a śāla tree on/near a hill)Places named: Citrakūṭa, śāla treeBharata’s approach and encampment near Rāma’s forest dwelling
अवतीर्य तु सालाग्रात्तस्मात्स समितिञ्जयः ।
लक्ष्मणः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा तस्थौ रामस्य पार्श्वतः ॥२८॥
avatīrya tu sālāgrāt tasmāt sa samitiñjayaḥ |
lakṣmaṇaḥ prāñjalir bhūtvā tasthau rāmasya pārśvataḥ ||28||
Maka Lakṣmaṇa, penakluk di medan perang, turun dari puncak pokok śāla itu; lalu berdiri di sisi Rāma dengan tangan dirapatkan penuh hormat.
Sandhi Notes
- सालाग्रात्तस्मात्स → सालाग्रात् तस्मात् सः
- प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा → प्राञ्जलिः भूत्वा
Lakshmana, the conqueror of foes, descended from the top of the sala tree and stood by the side of Rama with folded palms.
The teaching
Sevā with humility (añjali) is strength; vigilance can coexist with peace.
- Ethical theme
- Ācāra-dharma (conduct)
For your practice
Cultivates dāsya-bhāva: standing near the ideal (Rāma) with humility and readiness.
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace), with Vira (heroism)
- Mood
- Composed, attentive, reverent
Themes
- Dharma
- Maryada
- Service
- Respect
- Itihasa
The jīva’s humility (namratā) before the higher Self/Īśvara—service as purification of antaḥkaraṇa.
Īśāvāsya-style renunciation of ego: action performed with reverence rather than self-assertion.
- Lakshmana and Rama
- Younger brother serving elder brother (sevā, anujatva) (reverential devotion)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.97 (context: Lakṣmaṇa’s vigilance and service beside Rāma); Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.96–2.98 (Bharata’s arrival at Citrakūṭa)
Bhagavad Gītā 11.14 (añjali and reverence before the divine form—gesture parallel)
Ayodhyākāṇḍa: Lakṣmaṇa repeatedly stands guard/serves Rāma and Sītā in exile scenes
Anuṣṭup
Narrative
Madhyama-gati, gentle niṣāda emphasis on añjali/śānta cadence
FAQs
Dharma of respectful service: physical obedience is paired with inner reverence, shown by folded palms and standing by one’s elder.
Lakṣmaṇa follows Rāma’s instruction, comes down from the tree, and takes his place beside him respectfully.
Devotion and discipline—Lakṣmaṇa’s readiness to serve and maintain proper conduct.
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