He now argues that taking recourse to providence is a mistake. He thinks, “Providence is meant to be pitied upon because it is only taken shelter of by those devoid of intelligence and manliness: buddhi-pauruṣa-hīnānāṁ jīviketi bṛhaspatiḥ. Providence has no potency, that is, it cannot get things done. Therefore, one cannot infer the existence of providence through its effect. Because it does not exist, You are mistaken in taking shelter of it.” Thus Lakṣmaṇa sets aside the idea that one cannot overcome the workings of providence.

He then sets aside Rāma’s idea that [if He would take over the kingdom], He would commit an error in carrying out His dharma of fulfilling the instructions of His father. In Lakṣmaṇa’s opinion, Kaikeyī and Daśaratha were sinful and desirous of commiting a sin on Rāma. So, Lakṣmaṇa implies that there is nothing wrong from the perspective of dharma in disregarding the instructions of Kaikeyī and Daśaratha.