Valmiki Ramayana 2.21.11 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 11

अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः

Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā

Devanagari script

भरतस्याथ पक्ष्यो वा यो वाऽस्य हितमिच्छति।सर्वानेतान्वधिष्यामि मृदुर्हि परिभूयते।।2.21.11।।

Transliteration

bharatas yātha pakṣyo vā yo vā 'sya hitam icchati |

sarvān etān vadhiṣyāmi mṛdur hi paribhūyate || 2.21.11 ||

Translation

Và bất cứ ai đứng về phía Bharata, hay bất cứ ai mưu cầu lợi ích cho hắn, ta sẽ giết tất cả; vì kẻ nhu mì thực sự thường bị chà đạp một cách khinh bỉ.

Word by Word

• bharatasya: of Bharata
• bharatasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bharata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th), Singular

• atha: then/and
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle/conjunction (निपात)

• pakṣyaḥ: supporter
• pakṣyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pakṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; 'supporter/partisan'

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: Disjunctive particle (विकल्प)

• yaḥ: who
• yaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; relative

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: Disjunctive particle

• asya: his
• asya: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad/idam pronoun stem (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Singular

• hitam: welfare/good
• hitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• icchati: desires
• icchati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: iṣ (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (Present), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• sarvān: all
• sarvān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural; agrees with etān

• etān: these (people)
• etān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• vadhiṣyāmi: I shall slay
• vadhiṣyāmi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vadh (धातु)
• Form: Lṛṭ (Simple Future/भविष्यत्), Parasmaipada, 1st person, Singular

• mṛduḥ: the gentle (man)
• mṛduḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mṛdu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; used substantively 'a gentle person'

• hi: indeed/for
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic/explanatory particle (निपात)

• paribhūyate: is humiliated
• paribhūyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-bhū (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (Present), Ātmanepada, 3rd person, Singular; Passive/medio-passive sense 'is insulted/overpowered'

Context

I shall slay all of them who support Bharata and those who seek his prosperity. A gentleman is treated with disgrace indeed.

Characters & Entities

• Lakshmana
• Rama
• Bharata

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

It raises a dharmic problem: the claim that gentleness invites contempt can tempt one toward violence, but the Ramayana’s dharma ultimately refines strength through self-restraint, justice, and truth rather than indiscriminate killing.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakshmana, inflamed by the perceived threat to Rama’s rightful position, vows to eliminate Bharata’s supporters and anyone promoting Bharata’s interests.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Uncompromising loyalty and a fierce sense of honor—paired with a lack of restraint that the narrative later balances through Rama’s commitment to dharma and satya.