Lakshmaṇ

Also known as: Lakshman / Lakshmaṇ brave · Family: Ayodhyá · Role: prince · First appears: Book I, Canto 1 · Nárad

Nárad’s summary of the poem tells of Lakshmaṇ sharing Ráma’s exile and helping him build a cottage at Chitrakúṭa. In Book I, Sumitrá bears Lakshmaṇ and Śatrughna, and Vaśishṭha names the princes; Daśaratha later entrusts Lakshmaṇ and Ráma to Viśvámitra. After Janak proposes Urmilá as his bride, Lakshmaṇ marries her in Book I.

In Book II, when Ráma gives up the throne and goes into exile, Lakshmaṇ insists on accompanying him, bringing the celestial arms and protecting Kauśalyá at his brother’s request. He helps build their hut at Chitrakúṭa, and declares, “My brother Ráma, Raghu’s son, / To me is lord, friend, sire in one.” When Bharat arrives, Lakshmaṇ suspects him, but Ráma calms him.

In Book III, Lakshmaṇ and Ráma travel with Sítá through the forest. Lakshmaṇ cuts off Śúrpaṇakhá’s nose and ears after she threatens Sítá, and later leaves Sítá to go to Ráma when Márícha calls in Ráma’s voice. After Sítá is taken, the brothers continue their search together, defeat Kabandha, and receive guidance from him.

In Book IV, Lakshmaṇ carries messages between Ráma and Sugríva, first going to Sugríva’s city as Ráma’s envoy and then being softened by Tárá’s plea. In Book VI, he marches with the Vánars toward Lanká and fights its warriors: he kills Atikáya and, after a prolonged battle, Indrajít. Rávaṇ later strikes him with a spear, but Susheṇ heals him, and Lakshmaṇ rises restored.