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Continued from yesterday’s instalment
 'Do I have to be told what you are capable of Lakshmana?' began Rama very calmly. Note that familiar beginning. Very calm, soft, gentle and soothing words with a liberal dose of genuine affection, concern and praise. The same old time tested method of situation handling that is rephrased, decorated and sold to us by the West under innumerable fancy labels, the essence being, 'listen, praise and then differ.'
'ilakkuva! ulagam Or Ezhum nee kalakkuven enbadhu karudhinaal,' If you set your mind on confounding all the fourteen worlds, my dear Lakshmana,
'adhu vilakkuvadhu aridhu' who is there to stop you from doing so? Just who is capable of doing so?
'viLambal vEndumO?' Do I need to be told of that?
'pulakku uriththu oru poruL pugalak kEttiyaal.' Now I have something to tell you, something that deserves to be thought of by the intelligent and knowledgeable persons. Listen.
 'Just tell me. Can you mention a single name from the long lineage of our ancestors that has veered off from the course of righteousness? Is there anyone in our family who can be thought of as a wrongdoer?
'nam kulaththu udhiththavar navayin neenginaar.' Faultless is the person who is born in our race. Who would be found deficient? 'eNNil yaavarE?' Can you think of a name? When such a name is non-existent in our rich heredity, how can Bharata alone be thought of as being made of a different mould? How can he be different?'
'If Bharata comes here, he comes here to call me back. That can be the only reason.
'nal nedum padai nalgal andriyE' Instead of (inferring that he has come) to give the great army (kingdom) back to me
'ennodum porum ena iyambar paaladhO?' would it befit one to judge that he has come here to fight with me?
'sEN uyar dharumaththin dhEvai' He is the very Lord of rectitude,
'semmayin aaNiyai,' the very root, base on which honesty and straightforwardness depends and rests
'annadh ninaikkal aagumO?' and would it be fair to impute motives to him? Wait for a few moments and you will see for yourself.'
 In the meantime Bharata arrives on the scene clad in hermit's weeds and with joined palms. Rama smiles at Lakshmana again.
'aarppu uru vari silai iLya ayya!' O my young sire, the rebellious archer!
'thErp perum thaanayaal bharadhan seeRiya pOrp perum kOlaththaip porundha nOkku.' Just take a look at the way in which Bharata has marched on me with the great army! Look at the way in which he is clad - in tree bark - and think of the way in which you have readied yourself in full battle-gear.
Valmiki shows Rama in playful mood again. "If you utter these words (signifying your intention to kill Bharata for the sake of sovereignty, I shall speak to Bharata as follows on seeing him. 'Let the kingdom be given away for good to Lakshmana.' Being addressed by me in the words 'Bestow the kingdom on Lakshmana,' Bharata, O Lakshmana, will surely accept my command, saying "amen!" (Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda, Canto XCVII, Sloka 17, 18)
A stunning example of administering admonition without sounding harsh or painful; but at the same time driving the message home and making realisation dawn.
But that is the last scene where we see Lakshmana bowing down his head in shame. He sparkles and his intuition is keener and even excels that of Rama in several scenes that are to come. His role takes a good shape in the Aranya Kanda and his character enthrals the hearts of the readers in the Yuddha Kanda.
More follows...
Published on 9th March 2002
Hari Krishnan
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