#Ramayana #LecturesOnTheRamayana In the past, we had a gl…

We all know about the Golden Deer / Maricha incident and the way Sita influences Lakshmana to go in search of his brother.

Personally, I am unable to get 2 strong emotional points in one thread and hence, I will skip this incident for today.

2/

In Sundara Kanda, when Hanuman meets Sita, she says the following

सिंहस्कन्धो महाबाहुर्मनस्वी प्रियदर्शिनः।
पितृवद्वर्तते रामे मातृवन्मां समाचरन्।।

Lakshmana, who has lionshoulders and strong arms, who is handsome, who takes Rama as his father & treats me as his own mother

3/

ह्रियमाणां तदा वीरो न तु मां वेद लक्ष्मणः।
वृद्धोपसेवी लक्ष्मीवान् शक्तो न बहुभाषिता।।

Heroic Lakshmana, did not know while I was borne away. He is prosperous, foremost in serving elders. He is energetic and reserved in his speech like my father-in-law ..

4/

He is a prince dear (to his brother).

These are from Sarga-38, shlokas 60 and 61.

There are 3 distinct points which I want to draw the attention of the reader to.

1. She also compares Lakshmana to Dasaratha much like how Rama did when he constructed the hut in panchavati

5/

2. She clearly identifies Lakshmana's unflinching devotion & service to elders

3. Most importantly, she does acknowledge that Lakshmana treats her like his own mother and Rama his father.

These statements are minute observations constructed over a period of time ...

6/

and helps to build finer aspects of Lakshmana's personality.

Staying on this topic, there is an instance when Rama distraught at losing Sita, suddenly finds her ornamnets and is ecstatic.

He shows her jewels to Lakshmana & begs him to identify the same, wherein ....

7/

Lakshmana responds with an immortal statement.

Kishkindakanda, Sarga 6, Shloka 22

नाहं जानामि केयूरे नाहं जानामि कुण्डले
नूपुरे त्वभिजानामि नित्यं पादाभिवन्दनात्।

8/

Thus addressed by Rama, Lakshmana replied, 'I recognise neither the armlets nor the earrings. I only recognise the anklets as I used to bow at her feet daily.'

Lakshmana would only bow down to his sister-in-law's feet & would have never seen her face

9/

This immense devotion, dedication is exemplary and an example for the mere mortals to just try and imbibe.

When Rama decides to abandon Sita, he sends her with Lakshmana. Sita oblivious to the real reasons is puzzled until they reach the banks of the river

10/

When Lakshmana updates the reality, Sita is distraught and literallly pleads Lakshmana

निरीक्ष्य मा ऽद्य गच्छ त्वमृतुकालातिवर्तिनीम् ।।

"You will have to bear witness to my character when it is assailed in future. LOOK AT ME, I have the promise of Rama's love in me"

11/

Clearly pleading Lakshmana to consider her current state where she is pregnant.

In response to Sita's request, Lakshmana utters one of the most profoundly touching and immensely powerful responses...

12/

दृष्टपूर्वं न ते रूपं पादौ दृष्टौ तवानघे ।
कथमत्र हि पश्यामि रामेण रहितां वने ।।
इत्युक्त्वा तां नमस्कृत्य पुनर्नावमुपारुहत् ।

"I have never seen you before. I have had only a glimpse. Now you ask me to look at you and Rama is not here....

13/

The man who suspected you before and who may suspect again!!!"

This is one of the most profound and emotional instances this Mahakavya. I can't write further....

🙏🕉️🙏