Lakshmana Says He Has No Refuge beyond Ram
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 71
Doha 71 · Movement 2 of 2
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Love again seizes Lakshmana's voice. He trembles while clasping Ram's feet, unable to answer the dharma so carefully placed before him.
At last one truth emerges: You are my Lord and I am your servant. If you set me aside, what refuge remains?
The plea does not debate responsibilities one by one. Lakshmana speaks from the root beneath them all. Service to parent, guru, city, and world has meaning through the Lord to whom his being belongs. Separation would not redirect his life; it would remove the ground on which any duty could stand.
Lakshmana asks for no comfort, only the refuge of remaining where his Lord can accept his service.
Read the passage from the Manas
उतरु न आवत प्रेम बस गहे चरन अकुलाइ। नाथ दासु मैं स्वामि तुम्ह तजहु त काह बसाइ।।71।।
No answer came, for love had seized his voice. He clasped Rama's feet and trembled. 'You are my Lord, and I am Your servant. If You cast me aside, what recourse remains?' (71)