Shloka 21
अभिज्ञानवृत्तान्त-प्रत्यायनम्
Token of Recognition and the Crow–Brahmāstra Episode
भ्रातुरादेशमाज्ञाय लक्ष्मणो वा परन्तपः।।।।स किमर्थं नरवरो न मां रक्षति राघवः।
bhrātur ādeśam ājñāya lakṣmaṇo vā parantapaḥ | sa kim arthaṃ naravaro na māṃ rakṣati rāghavaḥ |
भ्रातुरादेशमाज्ञाय लक्ष्मणोऽपि परन्तपः। स किमर्थं नरश्रेष्ठो राघवो मां न रक्षति॥
'For what reason is the the scorcher of enemies, Lakshmana, the best of men also does not protect me at the behest of Rama, his brother?
FAQs
Dharma includes duty-bound protection of the vulnerable; Sītā appeals to the obligations of kinship and righteous leadership to end neglect.
Sītā questions the delay: if Lakṣmaṇa follows Rāma’s command, and both are capable, why has rescue not yet occurred?
Lakṣmaṇa’s obedience and martial capacity are invoked; the verse presses that such virtues must translate into protective action.