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Continued from yesterday’s instalment
 Rama’s attitude towards Lakshmana would in most instances be that of a parent rather than that of an elder brother. This was one such instance. Approaching Lakshmana who resembles the
kaala-agni with a cool smile, Rama - as though he is not aware of the nature of his brother and as if he does not know the reason for his stance - puts a rather innocent question, ‘en aththa! nee iRayEnum munindhu ilaadhaai!’
The Tamil word ‘aththa’ stands for leader, master, guru or anyone who is superior. Rama calls Lakshmana
‘en aththa’ endearingly. It must be taken to mean, ‘my child!’ ‘What is he matter my dear child! It is not usual for you to get angry, in the least.’ Now, that is something like a father addressing a child who is yelling, crying and weeping for something, and saying, ‘What’s the matter baby! I know you are a good child and it is not usual for you to weep like this.’ Rama adapts the same stance and puts a similar question to Lakshmana.
‘It is strange that you are angry today. Not only that. You are fully geared for a battle.
’nee iRayEnum munindhu ilaadhaai!’ It is not usual for you to get angry,
‘sannaththan aagi dhanu EndhudaRkku Edhu?’ and what could be the reason for you to get prepared for a battle and stand with a bow? Which god is on war with Ayodhya? What makes you wear the battle-gear?
That is one of the favourite beginnings of Rama. Praising before criticising. He would not indulge in criticism straightway. And he, only he, knew how to bring this
sesh-naag that has raised its thousand hoods in anger and is hissing furiously. “I have vowed to crown thee king, and that in the very face of her who has murdered truth and robbed thee of thy rightful inheritance. And even if it is the gods that stand in the way, they all shall burn in the fire of my wrath. When I hold the bow in this hand, even the gods will not dare to oppose me. If any oppose, they will be but targets for my fiery darts. And I will give thee crown of all the earth! Deign to receive it at my hands.” (Kamban Translated by Sri VVS Aiyar.)
‘ulagu Ezhinodu Ezhum mannar kualk kaavalum,’ and all the fourteen worlds and the right to rule over them,
‘unakku yaan tharak kOdi’ I would give unto you and receive ye from me!
 That is another facet of Lakshmana. His speech tends to touch the borders of boastfulness when he is really angry. He doesn’t have any control over himself and what he says when swayed by anger. ‘Quick to get angry and unhesitating to repent.’ And exceedingly transparent. That is one of the most important characteristics of Lakshmana. It’s also true of his other twin-brother, Satrughna, who has a similar bearing. What Lakshmana is to Rama, Satrughna is to Bharata, with a minor difference. Satrughna’s loyalty is for Rama, through Bharata. Lakshmana’s devotion is with Rama, straight. That is the order of reporting - or hierarchy - if it is to be called in the administrative parlance.
Though Rama prefers to wear the mantle of surprise at the anger of Lakshmana, what he ignores is his really strange utterances that come very close to what may be termed swaggering. ‘I will fetch you all the fourteen worlds and you receive it from me.’ Well, he knows that these are the words that come out of a pure, unblemished, untainted heart that is given to devotion and nothing but devotion.
More follows...
Hari Krishnan
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