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Continued from yesterday’s instalment
 There was only one occasion on which Lakshmana did not accompany Rama. As we had mentioned when we were discussing Kaikeyi, (See:
Years twice seven), it was when Rama was instructed by Kaikeyi of the ‘decision’ of Dasaratha to send him on exile and handing the throne over to Bharata. This absence becomes more conspicuous when we take into consideration that Lakshmana accompanied Rama when Dasaratha sent for him earlier, to convey him the decision to enthrone him.
‘thUya thambiyum thaanum ach chumandhiran thEr mEl pOi agam kuLir irundhuzhip pukkaan.’ He, along with his younger brother pure of heart, went in the chariot driven by Sumantra and reached the palace where Dasaratha was waiting. It is very specifically mentioned that Lakshmana was with Rama at the time when the decision to make him the Prince Regent was conveyed. Was it a sheer accident that Lakshmana was not with Rama at that most important and crucial moment in Rama’s life! The Poets remain silent on this. But destiny had it that way. Who else but Rama himself could be the so-called destiny! The person who so happily told Lakshmana that he would share the his kingly responsibilities with him, did not remember to take him along, when he was summoned by Kaikeyi when the situation itself had the seed of what is to come. Rama was taken to the palace of Kaikeyi instead of to the hall where the preparations for the coronation ceremony were on, where obviously Rama should have been taken. Therefore, it was not just an accident that Lakshmana was not with Rama especially at the most crucial time.
But when Lakshmana came to know of the decision and Rama’s acceptance, he turns furious. He is not able to bear the thought of his brother being deprived of what is his legitimate right.
‘yaavaraalum mUttaadha kaalak kadaith thee ena mUNdu ezhundhaan.’ He rose up like the uncontrollable and all consuming fire that bursts forth on the day of the Dissolution. He was fully geared with his sword, shield, bow and arrows and ‘aNNal periyOn thanadhu aadhiyin mUrthi oththaan’ he resembled his original self - Adi Sesha - whose incarnation he was. Kamban’s description of Lakshmana in this particular scene - in fact the first scene when Lakshmana is depicted in action - strikes awe in the minds of the readers.
 ‘singak kuruLaikku idu theem suvai Unai naayin vengaN siru kuttanukku Utta virumbinaaLaal,’ he fumes. ‘Did she (Kaikeyi) desire to give a dog the meat prepared for a lion-cub?’ My brother is the lion-cub and that Bharata is a dog! How come he deserves to wear the diadem that was to have adorned my brother’s head! Lakshmana stood in the heart of the city, says the Poet. ‘nagaraththu naappaN’ in the middle; at the centre; in the heart of the city. He twanged his bow that boomed and thundered all around.
Rama was at that time with Sumitra, who could not bear this sudden development, and was consoling her. He heard the twanging of the bow and understood what was happening. He rushed to the spot. ‘kaal thaakka nimirndhu pugaindhu kanandru pongum aaraak kanal aatrum Or anjana megam enna.’
He rushed to the spot like the cool rain bearing cloud that came on to put out the fire that was raging supreme, intensified by strong winds.
The Poet builds up the tempo to the heights to show Lakshmana seething in uncontrollable rage. Only if this scene is properly envisioned, can the power that Rama wields over Lakshmana be understood.
More follows...
Hari Krishnan
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