Valmiki Ramayana 2.46.24: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 46, Shloka 24
तमसातीरवासः · Night on the Bank of the Tamasa and the Stratagem to Elude the Citizens
Spoken by Lakshmana to RamaSetting: Night departure point near Ayodhyā outskirts (implied)Places named: Ayodhyā (implied)Immediate action: mounting the chariot
अब्रवील्लक्ष्मणो रामं साक्षाद्धर्ममिवस्थितम् ।
रोचते मे तथा प्राज्ञ क्षिप्र मारुह्यतामिति ॥२४॥
abravīl lakṣmaṇo rāmaṁ sākṣād dharmam iva sthitam |
rocate me tathā prājña kṣipram āruhyatām iti ||24||
ధర్మమే సాక్షాత్తుగా నిలిచినట్లున్న రామునితో లక్ష్మణుడు అన్నాడు—“హే ప్రాజ్ఞా! నాకు ఇదే మార్గం నచ్చింది; త్వరగా రథమెక్కుదాం।”
Sandhi Notes
- अब्रवील्लक्ष्मणो → अब्रवीत् + लक्ष्मणः
- साक्षाद्धर्मम् → साक्षात् + धर्मम्
- धर्ममिवस्थितम् → धर्मम् + इव + स्थितम्
- मारुह्यताम् → म् (sandhi) + आरुह्यताम् (here m is from kṣipram + āruhyatām in some recensions)
Lakshmana said to Rama who was the very image of like righteousness O wise one, I like this (proposal). Let us quickly mount the chariot.
The teaching
When dharma is clear and embodied by the wise, prompt action (kṣipratā) becomes a virtue, not haste.
- Ethical theme
- Ācāra-dharma / niścaya
- How it resolves
- Affirmation of dharmic strategy and swift execution
Devotion and practice
Contemplation (smaraṇa) of Rama as dharma-svarūpa; inspires obedience to righteous counsel and promptness in right action.
- Deity praised
- Rama (as Dharma-incarnate, implicit)
- Form of praise
- Vandana (salutation)
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism), with Shanta (peace)
- Mood
- Admiring, decisive, uplifted
Themes
- Dharma
- Maryada
- Itihasa
- Ethics
- Fraternal devotion
The jīvanmukta-like steadiness: dharma is not abstract but manifest in the sthiti (composed presence) of the wise.
Ācārya/śreṣṭha as pramāṇa: truth known through the embodied knower; the 'standing' (avasthitam) hints at sthitaprajñatā-like poise.
Rātri
- Lakshmana and Rama
- Younger brother addressing elder; disciple-like reverence (reverential)
- Rama and Dharma
- Identification/simile: Rama as embodiment of Dharma (venerating)
- Lakshmana and Dharma
- Alignment with dharmic course; approval of righteous strategy (affirming)
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.18-2.20 (Rama repeatedly portrayed as dharma-jña and dharma-stha); Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 3.1 (forest life framed as dharmic resolve); Rāmacaritamānasa (Rama as maryādā-puruṣottama; Lakshmana’s unwavering assent)
Dharma personification common in Itihāsa-Purāṇa discourse
Ayodhyākāṇḍa: Lakshmana’s counsel and readiness to act swiftly for Rama’s mission
Anuṣṭup
Commanding
Uccāraṇa with bright madhyama; slight uplift on 'dharma' and 'kṣipram'
FAQs
Recognizing and affirming righteous conduct: Lakshmana endorses Rama’s dharmic decision and supports prompt action aligned with duty.
Lakshmana responds approvingly to the plan to depart swiftly by chariot.
Loyalty and discernment—Lakshmana’s steadfast support of Rama and his recognition of Rama’s righteousness.
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