Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 32
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः
Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort
न चाहं कामयेऽत्यर्थं यस्स्याच्छत्रुर्मतो मम।।2.23.31।।असिना तीक्ष्णधारेण विद्युच्चलितवर्चसा।प्रगृहीतेन वै शत्रुं वज्रिणं वा न कल्पये।।2.23.32।।
na cāhaṃ kāmaye ’tyarthaṃ yas syāc chatrur mato mama || 2.23.31 ||
asinā tīkṣṇadhāreṇa vidyuccalitavarcasā |
pragṛhītena vai śatruṃ vajriṇaṃ vā na kalpaye || 2.23.32 ||
Hindi ko ninanais ang pakikipag-alit sa kaninuman; gayunman, kapag sinunggaban ko ang aking tabak na matalim ang talim at nagniningning na parang kidlat, hindi ko palalampasin ang kaaway—kahit si Indra, ang may tangan ng kulog, pa iyon.
Any one who turns my enemy will not be allowed to remain alive. Holding my sharpedged sword, lustrous as a flash of lightning, I shall exterminate my enemy even if it were Indra, the bearer of thunder.
FAQs
The same dharmic stance is reiterated: do not cultivate hostility, but uphold justice with decisive strength when duty demands.
This verse repeats the preceding declaration (a feature sometimes seen in recensional transmission), reinforcing Lakṣmaṇa’s unwavering pledge to neutralize threats.
Steadfastness (dṛḍha-niścaya): the repetition functions as emphasis on firmness of will.