Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 25
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः
Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort
ऊर्ध्वं वर्षसहस्रान्ते प्रजापाल्यमनन्तरम्।आर्यपुत्राः करिष्यन्ति वनवासं गते त्वयि।।।।
ūrdhvaṃ varṣa-sahasrānte prajā-pālyam anantaram |
ārya-putrāḥ kariṣyanti vana-vāsaṃ gate tvayi ||
Pagkaraan mong pamahalaan ang mga tao—maging sa loob pa ng sanlibong taon—kapag ikaw ay pumaroon upang manirahan sa gubat, ang iyong mararangal na anak ang mamumuno kapalit mo.
When after ruling the subjects for a thousand years you withdraw into the forest (for yativrata) your sons will rule them.
FAQs
It invokes an ideal of orderly succession and kingly duty: a ruler protects subjects first, then later may retire, entrusting governance to heirs—dharma as continuity and stability.
Lakṣmaṇa argues that exile is not appropriate now; forest-retirement belongs to a later life-stage after long rule and proper transfer of responsibility.
Concern for political order and the welfare of subjects, expressed through a traditional model of kingship.