Lakshmana Arms Himself and Swears by Ram's Name
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 230
Doha 230 · Movement 1 of 2
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Lakshmana rises with joined hands and asks Ram for permission. Heroic force seems to awaken from sleep as he binds his matted hair, fastens the quiver at his waist, and takes bow and arrow in hand.
He vows to earn the glory of Ram's servant and teach Bharata upon the field. The imagined dishonor will end with the two brothers upon a bed of battle, and the anger long restrained will break openly against the assembled host.
Lion among elephants, hawk upon quail, Lakshmana pictures himself scattering army, Bharata, and Shatrughna alike. His confidence reaches its fearsome height: even if Shiva comes as their ally, he will fight on, invoking Ram's name as witness. The forest clearing tightens around a warrior prepared to defend a threat that love has misread.
With matted hair bound and arrow raised, Lakshmana makes Ram's name the seal upon a vow that causes heaven itself to recoil.
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उठि कर जोरि रजायसु मागा। मनहुँ बीर रस सोवत जागा।। बाँधि जटा सिर कसि कटि भाथा। साजि सरासनु सायकु हाथा।। आजु राम सेवक जसु लेऊँ। भरतहि समर सिखावन देऊँ।। राम निरादर कर फलु पाई। सोवहुँ समर सेज दोउ भाई।। आइ बना भल सकल समाजू। प्रगट करउँ रिस पाछिल आजू।। जिमि करि निकर दलइ मृगराजू। लेइ लपेटि लवा जिमि बाजू।। तैसेहिं भरतहि सेन समेता। सानुज निदरि निपातउँ खेता।। जौं सहाय कर संकरु आई। तौ मारउँ रन राम दोहाई।।
Rising with folded hands, he sought the Lord's command, as though the very spirit of heroism had awakened from slumber. Binding his matted locks upon his head and fastening his quiver at his waist, he took up his bow with an arrow in hand. Today let me earn the glory of being Rama's servant. Let me give Bharata a lesson on the field of battle. Having reaped the fruit of dishonouring Rama, both brothers shall sleep upon the bed of war. The entire host has come well arrayed; today I shall unleash the anger I have held within. As a lion scatters a herd of elephants, as a hawk seizes a quail and sweeps it away. Just so shall I scorn and strike down Bharata together with his army and his younger brother on the battlefield. Even if Shankara himself comes to his aid, I shall prevail in battle. This I swear by Rama's name.