Four Things Lakshmana Can Use To Correct the Injustice

“These hands of mine aren’t meant to simply enhance my beauty, the bow is not meant simply to be a decoration, the sword is not meant for tying around my waist, and the arrows aren’t meant to remain standing immobile. These four things are all meant for killing my enemies.” (Lakshmana speaking to Lord Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 23.30)

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न शोभ अर्थाव् इमौ बाहू न धनुर् भूषणाय मे
न असिरा बन्धन अर्थाय न शराः स्तम्भ हेतवः
अमित्र दमन अर्थम् मे सर्वम् एतच् चतुष्टयम्

na śobha arthāv imau bāhū na dhanur bhūṣaṇāya me
na asirā bandhana arthāya na śarāḥ stambha hetavaḥ
amitra damana artham me sarvam etac catuṣṭayam

The fate happened to befall Rama. The sudden change of plans, the switcheroo, the rug being pulled from underneath at the last moment, affected the eldest son of King Dasharatha. It was a master stroke, a work of genius, and a perfectly timed strike, all combined into one. The youngest queen in the kingdom, Kaikeyi, had a little help. She received a carefully worded reminder from her servant. That was more than enough to leap into action, to manipulate the circumstances such that her own son would succeed the father on the throne, instead of Rama.

Though Kaikeyi’s requests of her husband affected Rama, creating a kind of checkmate scenario, one particular well-wisher was not prepared to accept the new plans. He viewed it as a grave injustice. It was a wrong that required correcting. To emphasize the capability, to highlight the potential of victory in reversing course, Rama’s younger brother named Lakshmana pointed to attributes common to warriors of the time.

1. The hands

The Sanskrit word is bāhu. We might compliment someone for how beautiful their arms look. This would especially apply to a warrior, for whom strength is an asset. In fact, strength is a requirement. Having wonderful arms is like the beginning of the sketch if painting a picture of the perfect defender. The Sanskrit word kshatriya literally translates to “one who protects against injury.”

2. The bow

The Sanskrit word is dhanur. This might be one of the items to fill out the costume for a party. If someone wants to dress like a military man from ancient times, the bow would be perfect. It is a kind of decoration; almost like part of the uniform.

3. The sword

The sword is perfect for going around the waist. It is the next piece of the ensemble. If a “warrior-kit” were sold in the stores, it might include the sword. In the case of hand-to-hand combat, when facing a fellow warrior on foot, after descending the chariot, the sword is the weapon of choice.

4. The arrows

The arrows sit in the quiver. They might remain where they are for a long period of time. The warrior carries such items as they move around. These things are always with them, but if there is no opportunity for combat, then an onlooker might get the wrong idea. They might think the whole outfit is just a costume or a uniform.

Lakshmana boldly declares that these things are actually meant to be used. Lakshmana is not afraid to use them. He carries out justice. What is happening to Rama is the worst injustice. Lakshmana will use the arrows, the bow, the sword, and his arms to fix everything. He will step up to the plate, fearlessly and ferociously. He will take on anyone who gets in his way. He is not afraid of the consequences.

Everyone else appears to be, though. That is the distinction. Kaikeyi knew that her husband had promised her any two boons of her choosing. Time was not a debilitating factor. It is not like the boons carried a date of expiration. The promise still stood. Dasharatha had a glaring vulnerability. If an outside firm were to conduct an audit, they would highlight this promise as something that could backfire on the king.

Rama was like dharma personified. He not only lived by virtue and righteousness in His own conduct, but He looked to uphold it in others. He understood that the king should especially live by dharma, in order to set the proper example for the people. There was thus no hesitation. If Kaikeyi wanted Him gone, Rama was not going to think about it. He would do anything in His power to maintain the good name of His father. Dasharatha was known for his truthfulness.

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते

yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas
tat tad evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute
lokas tad anuvartate

“Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.21)

Rules, righteousness, justice, conscience, truthfulness, honor – these things applied to Kaikeyi, her husband, and her husband’s eldest son. Lakshmana was outside of this paradigm. He was not concerned with honoring anything except Rama. Lakshmana would invite the whole world to fight against him, if necessary. This is the mood of pure devotion. This devotion is so strong that even Rama has a difficult time holding it back. The plan of the coup was never seriously entertained, but instead, Lakshmana assumed some of the burden of the punishment. He insisted on accompanying Rama to the forest, as part of Kaikeyi’s desire for a fourteen-year exile. To this, Rama could not say “no.”

In Closing:

Impossible to say “no.”
Thus to the forest to go.

But a warning all should heed,
That weapons for combat indeed.

Not just decorations waist around,
Or string from bow for sound.

Lakshmana pure devotion at its peak,
Only the welfare of Rama to seek.