“That best among men would not go to sleep without Him, nor would he eat without Him, even if the food brought was very palatable.” (Valmiki Ramayana, Bala Kand, 18.30)

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न च तेन विना निद्रां लभते पुरुषोत्तम
मृष्टमन्नमुपानीतमश्नाति न हि तं विना

na ca tena vinā nidrāṃ labhate puruṣottama
mṛṣṭamannamupānītamaśnāti na hi taṃ vinā

In the days of yore, prior to the cellphone, when there was no mass surveillance that could track every movement a person makes throughout a given day, the local television stations make an announcement recurring on a set schedule. At around ten or eleven at night, the message would display the current local time and then ask the question, “Do you know where your children are?” Today, that question would have to be phrased in the opposite way. Is there ever a time that a parent does not know where their children are? Even to play with other children requires appointments, which are now known as “play dates.” Taking a trip back in history, if we were to ask the question as to the whereabouts of the child of King Dasharatha known as Lakshmana, we quickly discern a pattern in the verified locations.

If it is the summertime, my child might be out playing in the backyard. In our area, there is a swimming pool that opens. Maybe my child went with their friends to enjoy a day of fun in the water. Maybe they are outside riding their bicycle. Perhaps they are sitting on the sofa in the basement, playing video games. The most likely location is wherever the smartphone happens to be. That device will be held within their hands, requiring strength and determination to pry loose.

Lakshmana is a character from history. He is born a kshatriya warrior, and he follows through on that occupation through training and work. The guna and karma align with the jāti, if discussing the Sanskrit terms. Despite his rich ancestry, in taking birth in a respected dynasty of rulers known as Raghu, Lakshmana has a particular inclination. It is there since the time of birth, and so the easiest way to locate Lakshmana is to think of the person leading. As Lakshmana is known as Ramanuja for his younger brother status and the inclination to follow, there is the corresponding Lakshmanagraja, who is the eldest of the four sons of Dasharatha, in fact.

1. Eating with Rama

You want to find Lakshmana? Perhaps he is eating. If the time is appropriate, Lakshmana is likely seated, ready to be served by the loving mothers. Dasharatha has three wives. Queen Sumitra is the mother to the twin boys, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Despite the large family, there is generally no distinction in how the parents are viewed. Each queen receives the treatment equal to a loving birthmother.

The distinguishing feature here is that Lakshmana will not be eating by himself. He needs Rama there, first. The same applies for sleeping. In many instances, an older brother might be annoyed by such allegiance. They might wonder when the younger will finally leave them alone. When will the younger brother stop following?

But Rama is not like this. Rather, He returns the favor, even voicing that allegiance on occasion. As Rama is the eldest son, one time He receives the news of an imminent transfer of power. Dasharatha has decided to step down and make Rama the next ruler. Rama is so aware of the closeness with Lakshmana that He makes a kind gesture. He offers to share the honor with His beloved younger brother.

लक्ष्मणेमां मया सार्धं प्रशाधि त्वं वसुन्धराम्
द्वितीयं मेऽन्तरात्मानं त्वामियं श्रीरुपस्थिता
सौमित्रे भुङ्क्ष्व भोगांत्स्वमिष्टान्राज्यफलानि
जीवितं च हि राज्यं च त्वदर्थमभिकामये

lakṣmaṇemāṃ mayā sārdhaṃ praśādhi tvaṃ vasundharām
dvitīyaṃ me’ntarātmānaṃ tvāmiyaṃ śrīrupasthitā
saumitre bhuṅkṣva bhogāṃtsvamiṣṭānrājyaphalāni ca
jīvitaṃ ca hi rājyaṃ ca tvadarthamabhikāmaye

“O Lakshmana, do you rule this earth with Me. You are like My second self, so this glorious opportunity has been presented to you as well. O Saumitra, do you enjoy all the pleasures you desire and the fruits of the regal life. My life and this kingdom I covet for your sake alone.” (Lord Rama speaking to Lakshmana, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 4.43-44)

2. Plotting a coup

You want to find Lakshmana? He might be in one of the palaces, proposing a bold and daring plan to Rama. Lakshmana suggests that Rama be placed on the throne by force. This was the initial plan from the outset. Things only changed once Queen Kaikeyi put Dasharatha into a bind. She played on the weakness in that ruler, in his commitment to truth. If Dasharatha was indeed good for what he promises, he would grant the two requests from Kaikeyi. She wanted Rama out of the kingdom, for fourteen years. She wanted her own son, Bharata, to be the next king.

ब्रवीहि कोऽद्यैव मया वियुज्यताम्
तवा सुहृत्प्राणयशस्सुहृज्जनैः
यथा तवेयं वसुधा वशे भवे
त्तथैव मां शाधि तवास्मि किङ्करः

bravīhi koʼdyaiva mayā viyujyatām
tavā suhṛtprāṇayaśassuhṛjjanaiḥ
yathā taveyaṃ vasudhā vaśe bhave
ttathaiva māṃ śādhi tavāsmi kiṅkaraḥ

“Please tell me which of Your enemies shall today be deprived of their life, fame, and friends by me. I am Your faithful servant, so please do instruct me as to how I shall go about bringing this whole earth under Your control.” (Lakshmana speaking to Lord Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 23.40)

Lakshmana asked that Rama refuse the mandate. Lakshmana is ready to take over the throne, by force, and install Rama on it. In his presentation, Lakshmana cleverly concludes with a leading question. He wants to know which person should be killed first. Opposition to this new plan should never be tolerated. Lakshmana will personally see to it that there is no interference. The gesture is well-received, but Rama politely declines.

3. Walking behind as security detail

You want to find Lakshmana? He might be roaming the forest, walking behind Rama and Sita. Why is Lakshmana in the forest? Well, when Rama accepted the requests from Kaikeyi, Lakshmana refused to stay at home. The same for Sita Devi, who is Rama’s beloved wife. In this role, Lakshmana is always doing something. He is the embodiment of activity. He is sacrificing sleep in order to serve as a bodyguard during the nighttime hours. He will not allow anything bad to happen to Rama.

अग्रतः प्रययौ रामस्सीता मध्ये सुमध्यमा
पृष्ठतस्तु धनुष्पाणिर्लक्ष्मणोऽनुजगाम ह

agrataḥ prayayau rāmassītā madhye sumadhyamā
pṛṣṭhatastu dhanuṣpāṇirlakṣmaṇoʼnujagāma ha

“Rama travelled in the front, with the beautiful Sita, of slender waist, in the middle. Lakshmana, carrying his bow and arrows, followed them from behind.” (Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 11.1)

4. Building a hut from scratch

You want to find Lakshmana? He might be in the forest building a hut. He is doing this at the request of his beloved eldest brother, Rama. Lakshmana vows to continue in the same path, for up to one hundred years or more. This means that well into the future, if you are looking to find Lakshmana, just think about where Rama might be.

परवानस्मि काकुत्स्थ त्वयि वर्षशतं स्थिते
स्वयं तु रुचिरे देशे क्रियतामिति मां वद

paravānasmi kākutstha tvayi varṣaśataṃ sthite
svayaṃ tu rucire deśe kriyatāmiti māṃ vada

“O Rama, for as long as You shall stand before me, even if it be for one hundred years, I will always remain Your servant. Therefore You should be the one to choose a beautiful and appropriate place for the cottage. After You have selected a spot, please then command me to start building.” (Lakshmana speaking to Lord Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 15.7)

5. Acting as wind to the fire

You want to find Lakshmana? Well, if you are able to locate the fire that is Rama, it is likely that Lakshmana is right alongside to offer assistance. Rama is like fire when releasing His arrows, which have the potential to turn into heatseeking missiles. They target the enemies, who are against dharma and who are always tormenting the innocent. Those fire-like weapons travel through the air, and Lakshmana is like the support in the background. He is like the hero who does not require headlines. Though he is quiet, we always know where to find him.

तस्यानुरूपो बलवान्रक्ताक्षो दन्दुभिस्वनः
कनीयान्लक्ष्मणो नाम भ्राता शशिनिभाननः
स तेन सह संयुक्तः पावकेनानिलो यथा
श्रीमान्राजवरस्तेन जनस्थानं निपातितम्

tasyānurūpo balavānraktākṣo dandubhisvanaḥ
kanīyānlakṣmaṇo nāma bhrātā śaśinibhānanaḥ
sa tena saha saṃyuktaḥ pāvakenānilo yathā
śrīmānrājavarastena janasthānaṃ nipātitam

“Rama’s younger brother, Lakshmana, has reddish eyes and a voice that resounds like a kettledrum. His strength matches that of Rama’s, and his face shines like a full moon. Just as wind gives aid to a raging fire, Lakshmana has joined forces with his brother. It is that best of kings, Shriman Rama, who has brought down the Rakshasas fighting in Janasthana.” (Akampana speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 31.16-17)

In Closing:

Question of where Lakshmana to find?
Look no further than behind.

Where tall with bow standing,
Ready from brother commanding.

Aligned in Sita and Rama’s track,
Perimeter secured front to back.

Also in this heart fixed and true,
Remembered pain and pleasure through.

Categories: the five

Tags: brothers, dailyprompt, hare krishna, poem, poems, poetry, ramayana