Valmiki Ramayana 2.21.38 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 38

अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः

Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā

Devanagari script

तव लक्ष्मण जानामि मयि स्नेहमनुत्तमम्।विक्रमं चैव सत्त्वं च तेजश्च सुदुरासदम्।।2.21.38।।

Transliteration

tava lakṣmaṇa jānāmi mayi sneham anuttamam |

vikramaṃ caiva sattvaṃ ca tejaś ca sudurāsadam || 2.21.38 ||

Translation

ହେ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ମଣ, ମୋ ପ୍ରତି ତୋର ଅନୁତ୍ତମ ସ୍ନେହକୁ ମୁଁ ଜାଣେ; ତୋର ପରାକ୍ରମ, ସତ୍ତ୍ୱବଳ ଏବଂ ଅଦମ୍ୟ ତେଜକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ମୁଁ ଜାଣେ।

Word by Word

• tava: your
• tava: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• lakṣmaṇa: O Lakshmana
• lakṣmaṇa: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• jānāmi: I know
• jānāmi: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jñā (धातु)
• Form: लट्, उत्तमपुरुष (1st), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• mayi: in me/towards me
• mayi: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; 'in me/towards me'

• sneham: affection
• sneham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sneha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• anuttamam: unsurpassed
• anuttamam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anuttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणं स्नेहम् प्रति

• vikramam: valour
• vikramam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vikrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (emphasis)

• sattvam: strength/courage
• sattvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sattva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• tejaḥ: splendour/energy
• tejaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• sudurāsadam: unassailable
• sudurāsadam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su-durāsada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (su + durāsada) 'very hard to assail' (qualifying tejaḥ)

Context

I know, O Lakshmana, your profound affection for me. I also know your valour, strength and unassailable energy.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Lakshmana

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma here includes recognizing and honoring loyal service: Rama acknowledges Lakshmana’s devotion and capacities before directing him, modeling respectful leadership.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama turns from consoling his mother to speaking with Lakshmana, preparing him for what must be done next in the unfolding exile situation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Lakshmana’s devotion (bhakti-like fraternity) and heroic capability—love expressed through readiness to act.