Valmiki Ramayana 2.23.17: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 17
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः
Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort
दैवं पुरुषकारेण यः समर्थः प्रबाधितुम्।न दैवेन विपन्नार्थः पुरुषस्सोऽवसीदति।।।।
daivaṃ puruṣakāreṇa yaḥ samarthaḥ prabādhitum | na daivena vipannārthaḥ puruṣaḥ so ’vasīdati ||
दैवं पुरुषकारेण यः समर्थः प्रबाधितुम्। न दैवेन विपन्नार्थः पुरुषः सोऽवसीदति॥
In the case of one capable of striking destiny with human efforts it cannot defeat his objective and bring him despondency.
FAQs
Dharma is sustained by purposeful effort; despair is not a virtue when righteous action remains possible.
Lakṣmaṇa continues his argument that Rāma should not accept the crisis as inevitable, insisting that effort can overcome ‘fate’.
Fortitude and initiative—refusing despondency and asserting agency in the face of adverse circumstances.
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