Lakshmana Confronts Rama's Decision
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 23
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Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 23
Lakshmana's fierce loyalty clashes with Rama's unwavering duty. As exile looms, brotherly love and royal intrigue collide in this gripping excerpt from the Ramayana epic.
As Rama spoke, Lakshmana listened with his head bowed, his mind torn between grief and joy. Then, frowning deeply, he hissed like an angry serpent in its hole. His face, with its furrowed brow, resembled that of an enraged lion, terrifying to behold.
Shaking his forearm like an elephant raising its trunk, Lakshmana moved his neck horizontally and vertically. Casting a sharp, sidelong glance at his brother, he began his impassioned speech.
"O great among brave kshatriyas (warrior class), your haste is unwarranted. There's no need to fear that people will support your exile. How can someone like you speak of destiny as all-powerful when it is powerless? Why do you praise this pitiable and powerless fate? Why don't you doubt those two vicious people (Dasaratha and Kaikeyi)?
O virtuous one, there are subtle ways to create obstacles without transgressing dharma (righteousness). Don't you realize that their actions, though seeming righteous, are deceptive? If this wasn't their plan all along, the boon would have been granted long ago.
I cannot tolerate the consecration of anyone other than you, O valiant one. You must forgive me for this. O noble-minded one, I despise the righteousness that has deluded your intellect and created this dilemma.
How can you, being powerful, carry out the unjustifiable and contemptible words of the king who is under Kaikeyi's influence? I am grieved that you're not seeing this treacherous plot for what it is. Blind adherence to virtue is censurable in this case.
How can you, even in your mind, fulfill the wishes of these passion-driven enemies disguised as parents? Even if you believe their dictate is destiny's decree, it doesn't satisfy me. It should be ignored.
Only the timid and weak follow destiny. The valiant with self-respect do not depend on it. A man capable of challenging destiny with human effort will not be defeated by it or fall into despondency.
Today, people will witness the power of destiny versus the power of man. They will see destiny defeated by my valor, just as they saw your consecration obstructed by it. I will turn back destiny - like an uncontrollable, rutting elephant - with my prowess.
Neither all the guardians of the quarters nor the three worlds combined can prevent your consecration today, let alone our father. Those who banished you to the forest will themselves dwell there for fourteen years. I will shatter the hopes of our father and Kaikeyi, who seek to obstruct your consecration and secure the kingdom for her son."
Lakshmana continued his impassioned speech to Rama:
"O king, those who mutually supported your banishment to the forest shall themselves dwell there for fourteen years. I will frustrate the desires of our father and Kaikeyi, who plan to secure the kingdom for her son by obstructing your consecration.
My terrible valor will cause more sorrow to those who oppose me than the power of destiny ever could. After ruling the subjects for a thousand years, when you withdraw into the forest for yativrata (a life of renunciation), your sons will rule them.
In ancient times, rajarsis (sage-kings) used to retire to the forest after entrusting their subjects to their sons, to be cared for like their own children. O righteous one, if you apprehend chaos in the kingdom for want of wholehearted support from the feudatory kings, then, O my valiant brother, I swear to you, I will protect your kingdom like the shore protecting the ocean. If I fail, may I never attain the afterworld of heroes.
You may continue the consecration ceremony with these auspicious materials. I alone am capable of facing these kings with my valor.
These arms of mine are not meant for enhancing beauty, nor is this bow for decoration. This sword is not for adorning my waist, nor are these arrows meant to remain fixed in my quiver. All these four weapons are meant for subduing my enemies.
I shall not allow anyone who becomes my enemy to remain alive. Holding my sharp-edged sword, lustrous as a flash of lightning, I shall exterminate my enemy even if it were Indra (the king of gods).
This entire earth will become impenetrable and impassable, scattered with the trunks, thighs, and heads of elephants, horses, and warriors hacked off with my sword.
The elephants, struck by the blows of my sword, will fall on earth like mountains engulfed in flames and like clouds with lightning.
When I stand before men wearing godha (arm guard) and finger-protector, holding the bow ready, who amongst men will dare boast of his manliness? I shall aim my arrows at the vitals of men, horses, and elephants, striking each of my foes with many arrows and many with one arrow.
O Lord, today you shall see the power of my glorious weapons in depriving the king of his authority and establishing your supremacy over the kingdom. These arms, which are fit for sandalwood cream, for wearing armlets, for distributing wealth, and for protecting friends, will perform the worthy act of subduing those who are creating obstacles to your consecration.
Tell me which of your enemies should be deprived of his life, fame, and friends. Command me as to how this earth shall come under your control. I shall do it now itself. I am your servant."
As Lakshmana's passionate speech came to an end, Rama, the enhancer of the glory of the Raghu dynasty, wiped his tears repeatedly and consoled his brother. Then, in stark contrast to Lakshmana's fiery words, he calmly said:
"O gentle one, know for sure that I am firm in abiding by the words of our father. This is the true path for me."
The brothers' opposing reactions highlighted the depth of their individual characters - Lakshmana's fierce loyalty and Rama's unwavering adherence to duty.
This concludes the twenty third chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.