Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 31, Shloka 16
लक्ष्मणस्य वनानुगमन-प्रतिज्ञा तथा आयुध-संग्रहः
Lakshmana’s Vow to Follow Rama and the Retrieval of Divine Weapons
एवं मम च ते भक्तिर्भविष्यति सुदर्शिता।धर्मज्ञ गुरुपूजायां धर्मश्चाप्यतुलो महान्।।।।
evaṃ mama ca te bhaktir bhaviṣyati sudarśitā |
dharmajña gurupūjāyāṃ dharmaś cāpy atulo mahān || 2.31.16 ||
如此行事，你对我的虔敬便将昭然可见；而你这通达法义者，当知敬奉长上本身就是无与伦比的伟大德行。
If you do this, your devotion to me will be amply demonstrated. Service to the elders, O dutiful one, is a virtue, great and unequalled.
FAQs
Dharma is defined as guru-sevā—honoring and serving elders as an incomparable virtue; devotion is validated through ethical action, especially care for those deserving reverence.
Rāma reinforces his instruction to Lakṣmaṇa, explaining that staying behind to serve Kausalyā is both devotion to Rāma and a high dharmic act.
Lakṣmaṇa’s potential virtue of disciplined service—devotion expressed through responsibility and reverence.