Valmiki Ramayana 2.23.6 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 6

लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः

Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort

Devanagari script

अस्थाने सम्भ्रमो यस्य जातो वै सुमहानयम्।।2.23.5।।धर्मदोष प्रसङ्गेन लोकस्यानतिशङ्कया।कथंह्येतदसम्भ्रान्तस्त्वद्विधो वक्तुमर्हति।।2.23.6।।यथा दैवमशौडीरं शौण्डीर क्षत्रियर्षभ।

Transliteration

asthāne sambhramo yasya jāto vai sumahān ayam || 2.23.5 ||

dharmadoṣa-prasaṅgena lokasyānatiśaṅkayā |

kathaṃ hy etad asambhrāntas tvad-vidho vaktum arhati || 2.23.6 ||

yathā daivam aśauḍīraṃ śauṇḍīra kṣatriyarṣabha |

Translation

В неподходящий миг поднялось в тебе это великое смятение — из заботы о дхарме и тревоги о людском суде. Как может стойкий, как ты, говорить так, будто судьба сильна, о храбрый, лучший из кшатриев, когда судьба на деле лишена силы?

Word by Word

• किम्: what
• किम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक-निपात (interrogative particle)

• नाम: indeed/ever
• नाम: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाम (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रश्न/विस्मयार्थक निपात (emphatic interrogative)

• कृपणम्: pitiable
• कृपणम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृपण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; दैवम्-विशेषण

• दैवम्: fate
• दैवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अशक्तम्: powerless
• अशक्तम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-शक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नञ्-तत्पुरुष; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; दैवम्-विशेषण

• अभिशंससि: you extol
• अभिशंससि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शंस् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘praise/extol/blame’ (context: extol)

• पापयोः: of the two wicked
• पापयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (or पुं), षष्ठी, द्विवचन; ‘of the two wicked (persons)’

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, चतुर्थी (Dative/सम्प्रदान), एकवचन; ‘to you’

• कथम्: how
• कथम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कथम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक-अव्यय

• नाम: indeed
• नाम: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाम (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis)

• तयोः: of them both
• तयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी, द्विवचन; ‘of those two’

• शङ्का: suspicion
• शङ्का: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शङ्का (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (negation)

• विद्यते: exists
• विद्यते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘exists/arises’

Context

These arms, O Rama which are fit for sandalwood cream, for wearing armlets, for distributing wealth and for protecting friends, will perform the worthy act of subduing those who are creating obstruction to your consecration.

Characters & Entities

• Lakshmana
• Rama
• daiva (destiny)

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as requiring courageous responsibility; Lakshmana rejects using “fate” as an excuse to avoid confronting wrongdoing.

What is the narrative situation?

This is a repeated/overlapping numbering in the Southern Recension presentation; it continues Lakshmana’s rebuke of Rama’s fatalistic framing.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fearless frankness (satyavacana) in counsel—Lakshmana speaks hard truths to protect Rama’s rightful standing.