Valmiki Ramayana 2.21.43: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 43
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः · Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma
based persuasion of Kausalyā
तदेतां विसृजानार्यां क्षत्रधर्माश्रितां मतिम् ।
धर्ममाश्रय मा तैक्ष्ण्यं मद्बुद्धिरनुगम्यताम् ॥४३॥
tad etāṃ visṛjānāryāṃ kṣatradharmāśritāṃ matim |
dharmam āśraya mā taikṣṇyaṃ madbuddhir anugamyatām ||43||
Kaya talikuran mo ang hamak na udyok na ito—kahit magmukha man itong tungkulin ng kṣatriya. Kumapit ka sa dharma; huwag kang tumungo sa marahas na kalupitan. Sundin ang aking paghatol.
Therefore, leave this ignoble thought, resort to the duty of a kshatriya, take the righteous path. Do not adopt violence. Follow my decision.
FAQs
True dharma is not mere aggression in the name of duty; it is disciplined righteousness. Rāma distinguishes moral duty from violent impulse and insists on restraint.
Lakṣmaṇa is inclined toward forceful action; Rāma instructs him to abandon violent thoughts and adhere to dharma by accepting the exile decision.
Rāma’s moral leadership and calm discernment—guiding martial energy into ethical self-governance.
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