Valmiki Ramayana 2.87.22: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 87, Shloka 22
गुहसंवादः · रामस्य रात्रिवासवर्णनम्
Dialogue with Guha: Account of Rama’s Night Halt
नियम्य पृष्ठे तु तलाङ्गुलित्रवान् शरैस्सुपूर्णाविषुधी परन्तपः ।
महाद्धनु स्सज्यमुपोह्य लक्ष्मणो निशामतिष्ठत्परितोऽस्य केवलम् ॥२२॥
niyamya pṛṣṭhe tu talāṅgulitravān śaraiḥ supūrṇāv iṣudhī parantapaḥ |
mahād dhanuḥ sajyam upohya lakṣmaṇo niśām atiṣṭhat parito 'sya kevalam ||22||
ततः परन्तपः लक्ष्मणः कराङ्गुलित्राणि नियम्य, पृष्ठे शरैः सुपूर्णाविषुधी बद्ध्वा, महद्धनुः सज्यं कृत्वा, रात्रिं सर्वां रामस्य परितः एक एव जागरूकः स्थितवान्।
Lakshmana, the scorcher of enemies, wearing protective covering for his palms and fingers (made of goha-skin), strapping on his back two quivers filled with arrows,holding a great bow, strung ready, stood sentinel throughout the night guarding the surrounding.
FAQs
Protective duty as dharma: Lakṣmaṇa’s vigilance shows that love is expressed as responsibility—guarding the vulnerable while they rest.
While Rāma and Sītā sleep, Lakṣmaṇa keeps armed watch throughout the night.
Lakṣmaṇa’s unwavering loyalty and readiness to defend (bhakti, vīrya, apramāda).
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