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Continued from yesterday’s instalment
 Lakshmana could not believe his ears. He didn’t ever think that Rama could leave him out at this moment. Right from the beginning, as we have seen, and as great commentators have noted even when they started with Viswamitra, the name ‘Rama’ by Upalakshana included Lakshmana as well. And it cannot be said Rama would have put this suggestion forth whole-heartedly. It was not possible for him as well, to live away from his dear
Lakshmana.
But the great character that he is, he always gives a fair chance to allow the other person to have his say, even if he knows what would the ultimate result be. Be it Lakshmana, Bharata or the very Ravana himself, he would be given a chance to make himself clear in particular matters. That is why Rama sends Angada to the court of Ravana, just hours before the declaration of war, giving him one more opportunity to surrender. And even after the war starts, he gives an opportunity again for Ravana to mend his ways. He is so careful (in Valmiki’s version) to instruct Hanuman to first watch Bharata from a distance to see that if he is still the same old Bharata, before giving out the news of his coming back to Ayodhya. Just. Just and proper, that is what Rama stands for.
The Poets do not state it explicitly; but we know how difficult it would have been for Rama to ask Lakshmana to stay back. But he did so, nevertheless. He had his own standards to follow and he would not swerve from it. But Rama was going on exile now and he has been asked to live the life of a hermit. It was not fair for him, he might have thought, to include Lakshmana in his difficulties without giving him a chance to explain his position. It was a difficult job for Rama. But fairness demanded him to adopt this course. He did so in perfect order.
Lakshmana was shocked beyond words. ‘eeNdu unakku adiyanEn pizhaithadhu yaadhu, endraan.’ ‘In what way have I wronged you my brother?’ he asked.
‘neer uLa enin uLa meenum neelamum.’ Fish and water lilies depend on water for their existence. If there is no water, the fish and the water plants cannot survive.
‘paar uLa enin uLa yaavayum.’ All forms of life depend on mother Earth and how would they survive without her? ‘paarpuRin,’ If you would see,
‘naanum seethayum aar uLar enin uLEm aruLuvaai,’ do tell me, on who do Sita and I depend on for our survival?
 How could either Sita or I survive without you! How can you even think of leaving me behind! You sound crueller now than when you pacified me with the strength of your character. You are leaving this kingdom of yours behind, giving up your right in it, as a matter of duty.
‘enai kai thudaithu Egavum kadavayO?’ Is it part of your duty to abandon me as well?
The picture that the Poet paints is so moving. Rama is not able to answer this question. Now it was his turn to yield to Lakshmana.
‘uraiththa pin raamna ondru uraikka unnilan.’ Rama didn’t even attempt to say anything after what Lakshmana said.
‘varaith thadam thOLaan vadhanam nOkkinaan.’ His eyes were set on the face of Lakshmana for a long time.
‘viraith thadam thaamaraik kaNNai mikka neer niraiththu,’ Tears filled his eyes resembling the petals of lotus
‘idai idai vizha,’ and they kept on rolling down his cheeks
‘nedidhu niRkindraan.’ He stood there speechless and motionless for a very long time, looking at Lakshmana’s face.
How would he leave this alter ego of his behind! How can he say ‘no’ to this loving brother!
More follows...
Published on 4-03-02
Hari Krishnan
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