Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 23, Shloka 41
लक्ष्मणक्रोधः—दैवपुरुषकारविवादः
Lakshmana’s Wrath and the Debate on Destiny vs Human Effort
विमृज्य बाष्पं परिसान्त्व्यचासकृत्स लक्ष्मणं राघववंशवर्धनः।उवाच पित्र्ये वचने व्यवस्थितंनिबोध मामेष हि सौम्य सत्पथः।।।।
vimṛjya bāṣpaṃ parisāntvya cāsakṛt sa lakṣmaṇaṃ rāghava-vaṃśa-vardhanaḥ |
uvāca pitrye vacane vyavasthitaṃ nibodha mām eṣa hi saumya satpathaḥ ||
Pinunasan niya ang luha nang paulit-ulit at paulit-ulit na inaliw si Lakshmana; saka nagsalita si Rama, tagapagtaguyod ng angkan ni Raghu: “Unawain mo ako, mabuting kapatid. Matatag ako sa salita ng aking ama; ito nga ang tunay na landas.”
Why don't you realise, O virtuous one! that there are soft means of creating hindrances in their plan without trangressing dharma. You know dharma. Why don't you understand that their acts of deception wear the guise of dharma?
FAQs
Rama defines dharma as steadfast truthfulness and obedience to a rightful promise/command—honoring the father’s word even at personal cost.
After Lakshmana’s fierce proposals, Rama calms him and reaffirms his commitment to accept exile to keep Dasharatha’s word intact.
Satya-niṣṭhā (devotion to truth) and maryādā (self-restraint within ethical limits).