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Showing posts with label Lakshmana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lakshmana. Show all posts

Sunday, April 06, 2025

SRIRAMALAKSHMANA STOTRAM श्रीरामलक्ष्मणस्तोत्रम्



SRIRAMALAKSHMANA STOTRAM   श्रीरामलक्ष्मणस्तोत्रम्


कमललोचनौ काञ्चनाम्बरौ कवचभूषणौ कार्मुकान्वितौ .
कलुषसंहरौ कामितप्रदौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. १.
मकरकुण्डलौ मौनिसेवितौ मणिकिरीटिनौ मञ्जुभाषिणौ .
मनुकुलोद्भवौ मानुषोत्तमौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. २..
सत्यसङ्गरौ समरभीकरौ सर्वरक्षकौ साहसान्वितौ .
सदयमानसौ सर्वपूजितौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. ३..
धृतशिखण्डिनौ दीनरक्षणौ धृतहिमाचलौ दिव्यविग्रहौ .
दिविजपूजितौ दीर्घदोर्युगौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. ४..
पवनजानुगौ पादचारिणौ पटुशिलीमुखौ पावनाङ्घ्रिकौ .
परमसात्त्विकौ भक्तवत्सलौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. ५..
वनविहारिणौ वल्कलाम्बरौ वनफलाशिनौ वासवार्चितौ .
वरगुणाकरौ बालिमर्द्दनौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. ६..
दशरथात्मजौ पशुपतिप्रियौ शशिनिभाननौ विशदमानसौ .
दशमुखान्तकौ निशितसायकौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. ७..
कमललोचनौ समरपण्डितौ भीमविक्रमौ कामसुन्दरौ .
दामभूषणौ हेमनूपुरौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. ८..
भरतसेवितौ दुरितमोचकौ करधृताशुगौ सुरवरस्तुतौ .
शरधिधारणौ धीरकवचिनौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. ९..
धर्मचारिणौ कर्मसाक्षिणौ धर्मकारकौ शर्मदायकौ .
नर्मशोभितौ मर्मभेदिनौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. १०..
नीलदेहिनौ लोलकुन्तलौ कालिभीकरौ तालमर्द्दनौ .
कलुषहारिणौ ललितभाषिणौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. ११..
मातृनन्दनौ पात्रपालकौ भ्रातृसम्मतौ शत्रुसूदनौ .
धातृशेखरौ जेतृनायकौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. १२..
जलधिबन्धनौ दलितदानवौ कुलविवर्धनौ बलविराजितौ .
शैलजार्चितौ फलविधायकौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. १३..
राजलक्षणौ विजयकाङ्क्षिणौ गजवरारुहौ पूजितामरौ .
विजितमत्सरौ भजितशूरिणौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. १४..
शर्वमानितौ सर्वकारिणौ गर्वभञ्जनौ निर्विकारिणौ .
दुर्विभावितौ सर्वभासकौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. १५..
रविकुलोद्भवौ भवविनाशकौ पवनजाश्रितौ पावकोपमौ .
रविसुतप्रियौ कविभिरीडितौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. १६..
मणिकिरीटिनौ मानुषोत्तमौ कनककुण्डलौ दिनमणिप्रभौ .
वानरार्चितौ वनविहारिणौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. १७.
जननवर्जितौ जनकजान्वितौ वनजनानतौ दीनवत्सलौ .
सनकसन्नुतौ शौनकार्चितौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. १८..
यागरक्षकौ योगचिन्तितौ त्यागमानसौ भोगिशायिनौ .
नागगामिनौ निगमगोचरौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. १९..
सत्यवादिनौ भृत्यपालकौ मृत्युनाशकौ सत्यरूपिणौ .
प्रत्यगात्मकौ मुक्तिदायकौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. २०..
मणिमयाङ्गदौ गुणविभूषणौ फणिभुगासनौ पुण्यशालिनौ .
पूर्णविग्रहौ पूर्णबोधकौ रहसि नौमि तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ .. २१..
रामलक्ष्मणाङ्कितमिदं वरं गीतमव्ययं पठति यः पुमान् .
तेन तोषितौ तस्य सपदं कीर्त्तिमायुषं यच्छतस्सुखम् .. २२.


ശ്രീരാമലക്ഷ്മണസ്തോത്രം
കമലലോചനൌ കാഞ്ചനാംബരൌ കവചഭൂഷണൌ കാര്‍മു കാന്വിതൌ ।
കലുഷസംഹരൌ കാമിതപ്രദൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൧॥
മകരകുണ്ഡലൌ മൌനിസേവിതൌ മണികിരീടിനൌ മഞ്ജുഭാഷിണൌ ।
മനുകുലോദ്ഭവൌ മാനുഷോത്തമൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൨॥
സത്യസങ്ഗരൌ സമരഭീകരൌ സര്‍വരക്ഷകൌ സാഹസാന്വിതൌ ।
സദയമാനസൌ സര്‍വപൂജിതൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൩॥
ധൃതശിഖണ്ഡിനൌ ദീനരക്ഷണൌ ധൃതഹിമാചലൌ ദിവ്യവിഗ്രഹൌ ।
ദിവിജപൂജിതൌ ദീര്‍ഘദോര്യുഗൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൪॥
പവനജാനുഗൌ പാദചാരിണൌ പടുശിലീമുഖൌ പാവനാങ്ഘ്രികൌ ।
പരമസാത്ത്വികൌ ഭക്തവത്സലൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൫॥
വനവിഹാരിണൌ വല്‍ക്കലാംബരൌ വനഫലാശിനൌ വാസവാര്‍ര്‍ച്ചിതൌ ।
വരഗുണാകരൌ ബാലിമര്‍ദ്ദനൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൬॥
ദശരഥാത്മജൌ പശുപതിപ്രിയൌ ശശിനിഭാനനൌ വിശദമാനസൌ ।
ദശമുഖാന്തകൌ നിശിതസായകൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൭॥
കമലലോചനൌ സമരപണ്ഡിതൌ ഭീമവിക്രമൌ കാമസുന്ദരൌ ।
ദാമഭൂഷണൌ ഹേമനൂപുരൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൮॥
ഭരതസേവിതൌ ദുരിതമോചകൌ കരധൃതാശുഗൌ സുരവരസ്തുതൌ ।
ശരധിധാരണൌ ധീരകവചിനൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൯॥
ധര്‍മചാരിണൌ കര്‍മസാക്ഷിണൌ ധര്‍മകാരകൌ ശര്‍മദായകൌ ।
നര്‍മശോഭിതൌ മര്‍മഭേദിനൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൧൦॥
നീലദേഹിനൌ ലോലകുന്തളൌ കാലിഭീകരൌ താലമര്‍ദ്ദനൌ ।
കലുഷഹാരിണൌ ലലിതഭാഷിണൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൧൧॥
മാതൃനന്ദനൌ പാത്രപാലകൌ ഭ്രാതൃസമ്മതൌ ശത്രുസൂദനൌ ।
ധാതൃശേഖരൌ ജേതൃനായകൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൧൨॥
ജലധിബന്ധനൌ ദലിതദാനവൌ കുലവിവര്‍ധനൌ ബലവിരാജിതൌ ।
ശൈലജാര്‍ചിതൌ ഫലവിധായകൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൧൩॥
രാജലക്ഷണൌ വിജയകാംക്ഷിണൌ ഗജവരാരുഹൌ പൂജിതാമരൌ ।
വിജിതമത്സരൌ ഭജിതശൂരിണൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൧൪॥
ശര്‍വമാനിതൌ സര്‍വകാരിണൌ ഗര്‍വഭഞ്ജനൌ നിര്‍വികാരിണൌ ।
ദുര്‍വിഭാവിതൌ സര്‍വഭാസകൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൧൫॥
രവികുലോദ്ഭവൌ ഭവവിനാശകൌ പവനജാശ്രിതൌ പാവകോപമൌ ।
രവിസുതപ്രിയൌ കവിഭിരീഡിതൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൧൬॥
മണികിരീടിനൌ മാനുഷോത്തമൌ കനകകുണ്ഡലൌ ദിനമണിപ്രഭൌ ।
വാനരാര്‍ചിതൌ വനവിഹാരിണൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൧൭॥
ജനനവര്‍ജിതൌ ജനകജാന്വിതൌ വനജനാനതൌ ദീനവത്സലൌ ।
സനകസന്നുതൌ ശൌനകാര്‍ചിതൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൧൮॥
യാഗരക്ഷകൌ യോഗചിന്തിതൌ ത്യാഗമാനസൌ ഭോഗിശായിനൌ ।
നാഗഗാമിനൌ നിഗമഗോചരൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൧൯॥
സത്യവാദിനൌ ഭൃത്യപാലകൌ മൃത്യുനാശകൌ സത്യരൂപിണൌ ।
പ്രത്യഗാത്മകൌ മുക്തിദായകൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൨൦॥
മണിമയാംഗദൌ ഗുണവിഭൂഷണൌ ഫണിഭുഗാസനൌ പുണ്യശാലിനൌ ।
പൂര്‍ണവിഗ്രഹൌ പൂര്‍ണബോധകൌ രഹസി നൌമി തൌ രാമലക്ഷ്മണൌ ॥ ൨൧
രാമലക്ഷ്മണാങ്കിതമിദം വരം ഗീതമവ്യയം പഠതി യഃ പുമാന്‍ ।
തേന തോഷിതൌ തസ്യ സംപദം കീര്‍ത്തിമായുഷം യച്ഛതസ്സുഖം ॥ ൨൨॥
ഇതി ശ്രീരാമലക്ഷ്മണസ്തോത്രം സമ്പൂര്‍ണ്ണം ।


free translation

1 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana who have eyes resembling lotus flowers
Rama and Lakshmana who are dressed in clothes covered with Gold
Rama and Lakshmana who wear impenetrable armours
Rama and Lakshmana who carry huge bows
Rama and Lakshmana who are capable of destroying evil people and evil thought too
Rama and Lakshman who will bless the devotees with all that such devotees desired

2 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana who both wear attractive eardrops crafted in the shape of Makara Fish
Rama and Lakshmana who are ever served by the Munis or Sages who are engaged in silent meditation
Rama and Lakshmana who wear crowns studded with gems
Rama and Lakshmana who always speak sweetly and with affection
Rama and Lakshmana who are the princes born in the clan of Manu.. the Vaivasvatha manu
Rama and Lakshmana who are the best among human beings

3 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana, who are ever steadfast in fulfililing whatever they have promised
Rama and Lakshmana who are indeed terrible to people who raise in war against them
Rama and Lakshmana who are pleased to protect all people around
Rama and Lakshmana, who are endowed with great valour and initiative
Rama and Lakshmana who have minds filled with kindness for all
Rama and Lakshmana who are worshipped by all.

4 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana who wear matted locks
Rama and Lakshmana who are engaged in protecting all those face misery
Rama and Lakshmana who have imposing forms like the huge mountain covered with snow
Rama and Lakshmana who shine forth in Divine forms
Rama and Lakshmana who are ever worshipped by Gods who occupy the heaven
Rama and Lakshaman who have very long pair of arms each

5 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana who are ever in the company of that son of wind, Hanuman
Rama and Lakshmana who are walking in the forest on their own feet
Rama and Lakshmana who possess arrows which are powerful and very efficient
Rama and Lakshmana who would sanctify all those who approach their feet in reverence
Rama and Lakshmana, who are ever humble and are devoid of any anger or arrogance
Rama and Lakshmana who are very affectionated to their devotees.

6 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana who move on foot across the thick dense forests of Dandaka
Rama and Lakshmana who are dressed in wooden bark
Rama and Lakshmana who spent their stay in forest eating with relish the fruits and herbs growing there
Rama and Lakshmana who are the mines or storehouses of exemplary virtues
Rama and Lakshmana who are the tormenters of the monkey chieftain Vali

7 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana who are the beloved sons of Emperor Dasaratha
Rama and Lakshmana who are adored by the protector of cattle, Pashupathi the Shiva
Rama and Lakshmana who shine forth with faces resembling the moon
Rama and Lakshmana who possess pure and spotless minds
Rama and Lakshmana who became the annihilators of the ten headed Rakshasa, the Ravana
Rama and Lakshmana who wield very sharp arrows

8 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana who are well trained and possess great dexterity in the art of war
Rama and Lakshmana who possess awe inspiring valour
Rama and Lakshmana who are as attractive as the Lord of love, Kamadeva himself
Rama and Lakshmana who are surrounded by resplendent aura that mark their presence
Rama and Lakshmana who wear attractive foot ornaments made of pure gold

9. I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana, who are served with great affection by Bharatha
Rama and Lakshmana, who remove the miseries suffered by the devotes due to past Karma
Rama and Lakshmana who hold very fast moving arrows in their hands
Rama and Lakshmana who wear armours befitting their valour and whose armours are indeed their own great valour

10 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana who are invariably treading the path of righteousness
Rama and Lakshmana who are the Divine beings who are witnesse to the activities indulged by all due to vagaries of Karma
Rama and Lakshmana who are the powerful defenders of righteousness
Rama and Lakshmana who are capable of penetrating the inner core of any adversary with their sharp arrows

11 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana, who possess bodies of blue colour
Rama and Lakshmana who sport curly, soft hair
Rama and Lakshmana who could be as fearsome as the god of death himself to his enemies
Rama and Lakshmana who felled the Thala or Palmyrah trees near Rishyamooka to illustrate their valour to Sugriva
Rama and Lakshmana, who would annihilate dark and evil thoughts and propensities
Rama and Lakshmana who are simple and sincere in their conversations

12 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana who make their mothers supremely happy through their character and coduct
Rama and Lakshmana who protect all those who deserve their protection
Rama and Lakshmana who are adored by their brothers
Rama and Lakshmana who are in the forefront of all winners

13 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana who arrested the course of water through building a bridge across the ocean
Rama and Lakshmana who tore asunder the army of demons
Rama and Lakshmana who enhanced the glory and prosperity of their clan
Rama and Lakshmana who shone with great strength and valour for ever
Rama and Lakshmana who were worshipped with great reverence by the hunterwoman Shabhari born in mountains
Rama and Lakshmana who are capable of bringing out successful results in all endeavours

14 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana who shine forth with all the great marks of kings
Rama and Lakshmana who are always intensely desire success in all that they do
Rama and Lakshmana who are seated atop huge elephants
Rama and Lakshmana who are worshped with great reverence by the deathless celestial beings
Rama and Lakshmana who have succeeded in all combats and competitions
Rama and Lakshmana who are worshipped with respect by all who are bold and valorous

15 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana who are treated with respect by Lord Shiva Himself
Rama and Lakshmana who are capable of doing anything with success
Rama and Lakshmana who would remove the arrogance of all around them
Rama and Lakshmana who have succeeded in removing base emotions and impulsiveness from their activities
Rama and Lakshmana whose valour and greatness are beyond the comprehesnsion of ordinary human being
Rama and Lakshmana who add lustre to everything around them

16 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana, who took birth in the clan of Sun
Rama and Lakshmana, who destroy the karmic sufferings of their devotes
Rama and Lakshmana, who are always served by Hanuman the son of wind god
Rama and Lakshmana, who are just like fire in their valour and potency
Rama and Lakshmana, who are very dear to Sugriva, the son of Sun
Rama and Lakshmana, who are ever praised by learned poets

17 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana, who are wearing crowns studded with attractive and precious gems
Rama and Lakshmana, who are the best among human beings
Rama and Lakshmana, who wear ear ornaments made of gold
Rama and Lakshmana, who shine like the Sun himself
Rama and Lakshmana who are worshipe with great devotion by the Vanaras
Rama and Lakshmana, who wander barefoot in the forst

18. I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana, whe are really the eternal beings without any birth
Rama and Lakshmana, who are in the company of Devi Sita.. the daughter of Janaka
Rama and Lakshmana, who are held in great respect by those who are born and are residing in forests
Rama and Lakshmana, who are filled to the brim with mercy for those who are suffering
Rama and Lakshmana, who are in the company of the sages Sanatkumaras, led by Sanaka
Rama and Lakshmana, who are greeted with great reverence by sage Shaunaka

19 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana, who protected the yajna of sage Vishvamitra
Rama and Lakshmana, who, as the ultimate being, appear in the hearts of those practicing yoga, durin meditation
Rama and Lakshmana, who are filled with desire to sacrifice all that is in their possession and control, for the welfare of the univers
Rama and Lakshmana, who , in their form as Vishnu, recline on the bed of the snake Adisesha flotating in the milky ocean
Rama and Lakshmana who travel sitting on elephants
Rama and Lakshmana, who real greatness and identity are revealed by the holy Vedas

20 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana, who would speak only truth all the time
Rama and Lakshmana, who are very sincere in protecting their own servants and dependents
Rama and Lakshmana, who would challenge death itself and overcome it
Rama and Lakshmana who are embodiments of truth
Rama and Lakshmana who are eternal, and were existings in the past for ever
Rama and Lakshaman, who grant their devotees emancipation from worldly woes

21 I watch Rama and Laksmana from distance and offer them my reverent pooja in secret
Rama and Lakshmana who wear attractive bracelets studded with gems
Rama and Lakshmana, whose real ornament is their noble qualities
Rama and Lakshmana, who as Vishnu, are seated on the back of Garuda, the eater of snakes
Rama and Lakshmana, who shine forth as the sum and substance of the positive results of all great deeds
Rama and Lakshmana, who are the embodiments of the Supreme in its absolute wholeness
Rama and Lakshmana, who alone can make one realize the Supreme one in its entirety

22 Whoever sings this excellent song praising Rama and Lakshmana together would be blessed with wealth, reputation, and long life, because the brothers would be immensely happy with the recital of this.

Thus is complete the RAMALAKSHMANA STOTRA
M

Saturday, February 11, 2017

respect for womanhood...



The rules of Hinduism are  crystal clear on the issue of paying respects to the wife of an elder family member, even if the lady is younger in age....

In Ramayanam, Lakshmana is younger to Rama by just two days.. Even though it is not clearly stated in the epic , Sita is presumed to be younger to Rama younger and therefore youngerto Lakshmana too... Laksjmana was born just two days after Ram ..

Rama on the Star Punartham of Chaitram and Lakshmana with his twin Shatrughna on the next Aashlesha or AAyilyam star..


And there is an occasion in Valmiki Ramayanam, where, Lakshmana is asked to identify the jewellery thrown down by Sita in Rishyamooka while she was being abducted to Lanka by Ravana..

Lakshmana Says.. 
नाहं जानामि केयूरे नाहं जानामि कुण्डले नूपुरे तु अभिजानामि नित्यं पाद्दभिवन्दनात I 
Naaham jaanaami keyoorey naaham jaanaami kundaley noopurey tu abhijaanaami nityam paadaabhivandanaat....

Meaning..

"I do not know how the ear-studs or the armlets of Sita would look like but I do recognize the anklets worn on her legs,, as I do see them when I prostrate on her feet every day.."

Here Lakshmana, by all means is elder in age to Sita.. but Sita is his elder brother's wife. and therefore he worships her feet..

Dharmasastras equate elder brother to ones own father and elder brother's wife to one's own mother..

Just as, if one's father marries a lady younger to the person, she assumes the status of mother. even if she is younger in age.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

the acid test..


the acid test..


धर्मात्मा सत्यसन्धश्च रामो दाशरथिर् यदि
पौरुषे च अप्रतिद्वन्द्वः तदैनं जहि रावणिं॥
श्रीमद्वाल्मीकीये रामायणे युद्धकाण्डे ८७-- ३१ 

dharmātmā satyasandhaśca rāmo dāśarathir yadi
pauruṣe ca apratidvandvaḥ tadainaṁ jahi rāvaṇiṁ||
śrīmadvālmīkīye rāmāyaṇe yuddhakāṇḍe 87-- 31
The star-fight in the entire scenario of the war for defeating Ravana and retrieving Sita from Lanka is considered by many as the fight between Lakshmana and Indrajit.. Indrajit, the valorous son of Ravana, in facts exceeded his father in his physical prowess and adroitness in war-craft..
The arrows and other weapons and missiles possessed by him were without match .And it was Lakshmana, the young prince and the darling brother of Rama who led the fight against the young Rakshasa prince..
Lakshmana had valour, and to condition himself for the fight, he had done penance of taking no food, and observing strict celibacy for fourteen years..
But when the fight started, the victory appeared to tilt in favour Meghanadha the Indrajit, and with each arrow being sent, each missile being hurled, the wily demon appeared to gain the upper hand.
Lakshmana was completely exhausted and was at his wits end..


Then he thought of the glory of his own elder brother, Rama, the Divinity standing in the battleground just to establish truth and order.. He takes an arrow, and as the invocations before mounting it on the bow he says


" If it is true that Rama, the Son of Dasaratha, is the embodiment of Dharma, if He is always truthful, and if he is without any match in valour, may this arrow hit and annilhilate the son of Ravana."


And the nature is truthful.. The universe is truthful.. And words loaded with truth cannot be contradicted.


Hence the arrow found its target effectively,
and
Indrajit fell lifeless on the battleground.


Here we have to ponder over the various underlying factors that ultimately decides human action and success thereof.


1.. The faith of Lakshmana in the greatness of his elder brother and master..was limitless..When everything else had gone out of his control , still he has the confidence that the mere assertion of the greatness of Rama could gain back anything for him..
And such faith stems out of reality.. Rama represented all that his younger believed him to be..Even the mention of such potent truths can control the balance of Dharma in the universe.
In fact this is basic psychology guiding the chanting of mantras and other intonations.. as we find in all religions..


2. Earlier in the epic, we find that Lakshmana, on the face of mounting obstacles leading even to a state of virtual death for himself and Rama, the mock killing of Sita, etc, had got depressed for some time and had even spoken in contempt of Dharma, and the righteous path followed by the elder brother..But ultimately he had to come round to trust in the efficacy of dharma and then alone he could vanquish his enemy.
3. Lakshmana was not a rabbit..He was a very astute person, a well-educated prince and an eminent warrior himself..
And he had lived with Rama all his lifetime but for a single day.. because he was born the next day after Rama..
Still, even after so many years, Lakshmana could have complete faith in the loftiness of Rama's character and valour..We look at icons, and form our views on them without adequate data and observation..Our judgements can be faulty.And usually a younger brother is programmed with jealousy for his elder sibling even as the former is born..
But Lakshmana could assert the greatness of Rama his elder brother with no doubt whatsoever.. This should speak volumes for the greatness of Rama.
4. It has to be noted that Lakshmana did not assert that he was Bhagavan Sehsa himself or that Rama and Sita were Narayana and Lakshmi., the supreme Divine Couple..Lakshmana asserted the glory of the race of Dasaratha and the personal qualities of Rama. adherence to Dharma, Truth and Valour.
Maybe such great qualities in men put them even above the Godhead.

Thursday, July 05, 2012

Sita's Praise for Lakshmana


स्रजश्च सर्वरत्नानि प्रिया याश्च वराङ्गनाः।
ऐश्वर्यं च विशालायां पृथिव्यामपि दुर्लभम्॥५७
पितरं मातरं चैव संमान्याभिप्रसाध्य च।
अनुप्रव्रजितो रामं सुमित्रा येन सुप्रजाः॥५८
आनुकूल्येन धर्मात्मा त्यक्त्वा सुखमनुत्तमं।
अनुगच्छति काकुत्स्थं भ्रातरं पालयन् वने॥५९
सिंहस्कन्धो महाभाहुर्मनस्वी प्रियदर्शनः।
पितृवद्वर्तते रामे मातृवन्मां समाचरन्॥६०
ह्रियमाणाम् तदा वीरो न तु मां वेद लक्ष्मणः।
वृद्धोपसेवी लक्ष्मीवाञ्च्छक्तो न बहुभाषिता॥६१
राजपुत्रः प्रियः श्रेष्ठः सदृशः श्वशुरस्य मे।
मत्तः प्रियतरो नित्यं भ्राता रामस्य लक्ष्मणः॥६२
नियुक्तो धुरि यस्यां तु तामुद्वहति वीर्यवान्।
यं दृष्ट्वा राघवो नैव वृत्तमार्यमनुस्मरेत्॥६३
स ममार्थाय कुशलं वक्तव्यो वचनान्मम।
मृदुर्नित्यं शुचिर्दक्षः प्रियो रामस्य लक्ष्मणः॥६४
श्रीमद्वाल्मीकिये रामायणे आदिकाव्य् सुन्दरकाण्डे सर्गः ३८
srajaśca sarvaratnāni priyā yāśca varāṅganāḥ|
aiśvaryaṁ ca viśālāyāṁ pṛthivyāmapi durlabham||57
pitaraṁ mātaṁ caiva saṁmānyābhiprasādhya ca|
anupravrajito rāmaṁ sumitrā yena suprajāḥ||58
ānukūlyeana dharmātmā tyaktvā sukhamanuttamaṁ|
anugacchati kākutsthaṁ bhrātaraṁ pālayan vane||59
siṁhaskando mahābhāhurmanasvī priyadarśanaḥ|
pitṛvadvartate rāme mātṛvanmāṁ samācaran||60
hriyamāṇām tadā vīro na tu māṁ veda lakṣmaṇaḥ|
vṛddhopasevī lakṣmīvāñcchakto na bahubhāṣitā||61
rājaputraḥ priyaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ sadṛśaḥ śvaśurasya me|
mattaḥ priyataro nityaṁ bhrātā rāmasya lakṣmaṇaḥ||62
niyukto dhuri yasyāṁ tu tāmudvahati vīryavān|
yaṁ dṛṣṭvā rāghavo naiva vṛttamāryamanusmaret||63
sa mamārthāya kuśalaṁ vaktavyo vacanānmama|
mṛdurnityaṁ śucirdakṣaḥ priyo rāmasya lakṣmaṇaḥ||64
śrīmadvālmīkiye rāmāyaṇe ādikāvy sundarakāṇḍe sargaḥ 38



We all know Lakshmana as a very important character in Ramayanam.  But usually he is not accorded the place of honour he deserved in the epic for his sheer devotion and the voluntary sacrifice of all that is best in life for the sake of his elder brother who is just two days older than him. Most of the time it would appear that even Rama and Sita were treating him only as a utility man.  In fact, when Maricha appeared before Sita in the disguise of a Golden deer and she prompted Rama to run after the deer and fetch it for her, Rama had asked Lakshmana to ensure the safety of Sita in his absence.  The wily Maricha, when he was ultimately hit by the arrow of Rama in a far off place, shouted out the names of Sita and Lakshmana in the voice of Rama giving a false impression that Rama was in mortal danger.  Lakshmana knew that this was only a bait by the dying demon.  But Sita insisted that Lakshmana should go for the rescue of Rama and when Lakshmana was reluctant to leave sita unguarded, she used the worst language accusing him of having ulterior intentions on her.  Lakshman had to go away and this made the entry of Ravana into the Ashram and abduction of Sita. Maybe, she remembered the ungrateful treatment she meted out to Lakshmana, and therefore when Hanuman reached Lanka in search of he and she was asked to give messages to her Relatives and friends on the Indian Subcontinent, she showers all praise on Lakshman.  It is a fact that Lakshman deserved this and more

"The faithful Lakshmana had voluntarily abandoned all comforts, gems and jewels, affluent life which is not even thinkable for ordinary persons, and company of noble maidens in Ayodhya, and accompanied Rama and Me for a life of complete austerity and physical denial in the forest, that too for fourteen years. This was done by him after convincing his parents. He is the darling child because of whose birth Devi Sumitra attained great fame. He is now wandering in the forest, after giving up all the comforts of Royal life, and his only mission in life is to protect Rama in the forest.  He is a valorous hero with the shoulder s resembling a lion, having long hands and also a mind and character of the highest order, and he is very pleasing person to the eyes. For him Rama is his father and I am his mother. When I was abducted, he was not present in the ashram ( implying that had he been present the dastardly action could have been thwarted and also that She had force him to go away).  Lakshma is considerate and would be of great service to elder people, he carried in him all the marks of prosperity and he is very powerful. However, he is a man of few words, and is softspoken.He is a real Prince of Kshatriya  blood, he is dear to all, he is of sternling character, and he resmbles Dasartha, my father in law very much. I feel Lakshman is even more dearer to Rama than  me his wife. Lakshmana is a hero who will execute whatever directions are given to him apply his ingenuity and would emerge as as achiever at any cost. Rama is forgetting the grief of having lost his father only by being in the company of Lakshmana. Oh Hanuman, please convey my best wishes to him in endearing words. He is soft always, a very clean and efficient person  and is the cynosure of the eyes of Rama.

This was quoted because, most of the other characters except Urmila, Shatrugna, and the two daughter-in-laws of Dasartha apart from sita, who, along with Laksmana, had   all undergone great sacrifices in life during the fourteen years of exile of Rama, and they have not been given sufficient footage in the epic.