Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 24
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः
Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort
मद्बलेन विरुद्धाय न स्याद्दैवबलं तथा।प्रभविष्यति दुःखाय यथोग्रं पौरुषं मम।।।।
mad-balena viruddhāya na syād daiva-balaṃ tathā |
prabhaviṣyati duḥkhāya yathograṃ pauruṣaṃ mama ||
Contra quem se opuser à minha força, nem mesmo o poder do destino trará sofrimento tão grande quanto o que trará o meu valor feroz.
Any one who opposes my terrible valour will come to grief. The power of destiny will not cause that much sorrow as my valour will.
FAQs
The verse warns by example: power and anger can eclipse dharma when one threatens disproportionate harm; righteous strength must be restrained by ethical purpose.
Lakṣmaṇa escalates his vow, claiming his own force can cause more suffering than destiny itself to any opponent.
Martial intensity and steadfastness—alongside the need for self-mastery.