Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 31, Shloka 22
लक्ष्मणस्य वनानुगमन-प्रतिज्ञा तथा आयुध-संग्रहः
Lakshmana’s Vow to Follow Rama and the Retrieval of Divine Weapons
कुरुष्व मामनुचरं वैधर्म्यं नेह विद्यते।कृतार्थोऽहं भविष्यामि तव चार्थः प्रकल्पते।।।।
kuruṣva mām anucaraṃ vaidharmyaṃ neha vidyate | kṛtārtho 'haṃ bhaviṣyāmi tava cārthaḥ prakalpate ||
请让我作你的随从与追随者；此中并无违背正法（dharma）。我将得以圆满所愿，而你的目的亦将成就。
Holding the bow and arrows and carrying a crowbar and a basket, I shall go in front of you leading the way.
FAQs
Sevā as dharma: Lakṣmaṇa frames personal accompaniment not as indulgence but as righteous duty, explicitly denying any vaidharmya (ethical impropriety).
Lakṣmaṇa formally petitions Rāma to accept him as an attendant in the forest-exile, arguing it benefits both.
Selfless loyalty—Lakṣmaṇa seeks fulfillment through service rather than status or comfort.