Lakshmana's Counsel Flowers into the Rapture of Battle
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 229
Doha 229 · Movement 1 of 2
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Lakshmana recalls kings stained by royal pride and imagines Bharata determined to leave neither enemy nor debt alive. Protective love makes him believe that Bharata has mistaken Ram's forest solitude for helplessness.
He predicts that the error will be shattered at the sight of Ram angered upon a battlefield. As the vision grows, measured counsel falls away. The tree of heroic ardor flowers across Lakshmana's body in a thrill of battle.
Still he bows first, places the dust of Ram's feet upon his head, and speaks from the strength he knows as natural service. Bharata's approach feels like an unbearable affront. With Ram beside him and bow in hand, Lakshmana asks how long the heart must be restrained. Even fury remains kneeling before the Lord whose safety awakened it.
Battle rises through Lakshmana like sap through a tree, yet before taking up the bow he crowns himself with dust from Ram's feet.
Read the passage from the Manas
सहसबाहु सुरनाथु त्रिसंकू। केहि न राजमद दीन्ह कलंकू।। भरत कीन्ह यह उचित उपाऊ। रिपु रिन रंच न राखब काऊ।। एक कीन्हि नहिं भरत भलाई। निदरे रामु जानि असहाई।। समुझि परिहि सोउ आजु बिसेषी। समर सरोष राम मुखु पेखी।। एतना कहत नीति रस भूला। रन रस बिटपु पुलक मिस फूला।। प्रभु पद बंदि सीस रज राखी। बोले सत्य सहज बलु भाषी।। अनुचित नाथ न मानब मोरा। भरत हमहि उपचार न थोरा।। कहँ लगि सहिअ रहिअ मनु मारें। नाथ साथ धनु हाथ हमारें।।
Sahasrabahu, Indra, Trishanku: which king has royal pride not stained with disgrace? Bharata has taken this fitting step. He will not leave even a trace of enemy or debt unpaid. Bharata failed in one regard: he scorned Rama, knowing him to be without support. He will understand this truth all the more today, when he beholds Rama's wrathful face on the battlefield. Saying this much, Lakshmana forgot all restraint of counsel. Like a tree drunk on the rasa of battle, he bloomed with the thrill of heroic delight. Bowing at the Lord's feet and placing the dust upon his head, he spoke with innate strength and truthfulness. O Lord, do not consider my words improper. Bharata has shown us no small courtesy. How long shall we endure, living with hearts held down? Lord, you are at our side, and we hold the bow in hand.