Sri Rama Lakshmana Debate
Lakshmana who had come earlier it self from Kaushalya’s room had heard the conversation thought “ Sita who is 50% of Rama had to struggle to get permission to go to forest. My matter is going to be tougher” this thought itself choked him and was standing with tears rolling down his eyes in stream. He did not aspire anything other than to go to forest with his elder brother Rama. He did not know any method by which he can convince Rama. Can Rama who is God Incarnate and his brother can cast aside Laskshmana’s request ? In that courage he decided to surrender to Rama. He thought coherently as to what are the things which wil help him surrender to Rama and win his consent. First he will get the recommendation of Sita Devi surrender to her 1st and through her “ I will not Leave any one who surrenders to me as a friend, I herby pronounce that he need have no fear from all Livign beings. This the biggest Vrat(Fast ) I have undertaken.”he was all loyalty caught hold of the Feet of God and he prayed for his Charanagathi(Surrender).
“ I am not happy in your going to forest, but if you have decided so, then I will like to come with you. Forest where the wild aniimals are roaming, I will go with bow and arrow in front carefully. You can walk around with me in those forest though there are variety of Birds and Animals . Any time, anyplace, any season I will be there to serve you. Without you I do not need stay in Ayodhaya, the post of Kaivalyam which does not age and immortal I do not need. Nor do need the the command of this Brahmandam comprising of 14 Worlds. I do not need the Moksham where I can’t serve you. When such is my desire ,other Positions do they matter?
Thus Lakshmana who was preparing to come to Forest, Rama tried to persuade him many ways, he did not agree for this, Lakshamana said you had instructed earlier “ Lakshmana ! Please stop mmediately my Cornoantion, proceed to halt further arragenments being made . Lakshmana please be like me without any remorse” You also said to Sita “ Seethay ! Bharatha and Shatrugna are more dearer than my own Life. So you treat them as your brother and son respectively and conduct your self carefully”. In that you had not included me. Hence that is more than your consent to my coming to Forest. When that be the case, now why are you stopping me ? First you have commanded and believing that I am ready to start. Now when you suddenly stop me, it looks like I have done something wrong for you. From youg age I have been like following your shadow and you are my refuge and you have been treating me as your dearest Friend I do not know for what reason now are you shirking me and I have my doubts ,I beseech you to please clairfy.
Rama spoke to Laskhmana who with folded hands was sad , beseeched and prayed to Rama for taking him along and was ready to go “Laskshmana !you are my best friend. You always go in the path of Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation). You are a Great warrior, you tread the path of the pious, you are worthy of my affection,you are as dear as my own Life, You abide by me in all respects, your were born along with me, my friend, hence to implement my thoughts the requisite virtues you possess in abundance, If you also come to forest along with me who is there to protect Kaushalya and Suminthra? Only reason to stop you now this is the reason; earlier I gave you authority was just an exmption or antidote appropriate at that juncture,nothing else.
If you say ‘Is King not there to take care of them?’; just like the Rain pours for the welfare of one and all, the king has to take care of all subjectsis bound by the Arrows of Mandamdha(God of Love), he is now acting at the behest of others. If Ashwapathi’s Daughter Kayikyei gets hold of this Kingdom, she will not do what is good for our Mothers; who are already in anguish;due to our absence.
if you ask ’ Bharatha will he not protect?’ he is also bound by Kayikeyie; he may not be able to disobey her command. He cannot stop her tormenting Kings’ other Queens. So if Bharatha becomes King, he may not even think of Kaushalya and Sumithra who are in deep sorrow.
if you ask ‘ How can I protect them?’ then get king’s permission . if that is also not available then with your sagacity protect Kaushalya. What I have now told you, please implement them without any shortcomings. ‘ please do not tell anything in the Contrary.
If you say “ Service to You is my Moto and of prime importance’, what is the use of this? Then the Affection you have for me can be reflected by the Service you satisfactorily render to our Elders and our Mothers. Hey Lakshmana who knows Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation) totally! if you worship elders then you will be blessed with matchless highest Dharma easily. For my sake you please do this. If you, me & Sita are not there, what happiness will our Mothers get?
Whilst Rama Is kown for his tact and diplomacy in oratory like the Learned Jupiter(Guru of Celestials) ; with clever talk. Hence he with endearing words started replying to all of Rama’s objections to his joining him to the forest.
“ Kaushalya is the Mother of Rama whose PARAKRAM (Achievement, Might, Puissance,Exploits,Valor, Heroism, Gallantry,Prowess,Ability,Valour)cannot be measured and told, if I do not take care of Kaushalya , then danger and Sins will accrue and I have to also face the wrath of Rama ‘’ will be Bharatha’s plight. Out of that fear he will take care of our Mothers properly. There is not an iota doubt on this. Further Kaushalya Devi is capable of guarding thousands of people like me. Have we not seen that she has donated thousands of villages to those who surround her. It I s not a matter at all for her to Protect herself and my Mother at all. My duty is to ensure your well being by serving you 24x7.**( Lakshamana is non other than 1000 headed Adisesha serpent , on whom Maha Vishnu rests). Please allow me to serve you in all season, all times, in all places accordingly. I have the requisite qualities of a servant. You have the Virtues and Character of God. Hence my accompanying you iam not able to see any contradictions. By this you will not have any difficulty and I will get you the food such as Fruits, Roots and stems of plants and other items in adequate measure, it will also help me realize the fruits of serving you. I will go in the front showing you the path carrying basket, bow & Arrow, Spade,etc . TheFrutis, underground stem of some plants like Onion, potato etc, Roots Grains/Cereals, Honey which are suitable for Hermits I will earn them everyday for your consumption. You can with Sita happily spend time in the Valley beneath the Mountain range. I shall serve you in all seasons in all places in all times thus he prayed to Rama.
Rama also was immensely happy and said “ During King Janaka’s yagnya Great Mahathma Varuna gave 2 Bows, 2 Shields which cannot be split by Enemies, the Quivers in which the Arrows will always be replenished, 2 Swords decorated by Gold and shining like the Sun please go and bring it from our Kula Guru Vasishta’s house where it is kept for Puja. You also inform your friends and Relations and take leave of them and be ready for Leaving for Forest. “ thus commanded Rama.
Lakshmana accordingly went to Sage Vasishta’s house, there the Great armamaents which were worshipped with Flowers, Incense sticks, Wick Lamps etc and brought and showed it to Rama. Rama became very Happy and said “ Lakshmana ! you came at the appropriate time. Please be with me and let us distribute all my wealth amongst Brahmins, Saints and Aethists, in charity (Dhanam), In this city many are doing yomen service to elders, we should give them and those who come to us more than others. Please go and fetch Sri Suyagnya ,the great Brahmin and son of Sage Vasishta immediately. I would like to take permission from all Brahmins and leave for the Forest. (Slokas 35) .
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