Lakshmana Bows at Rama's Feet Before Entering the Arrow Storm
Lanka Kanda, Doha 82
Doha 82 · Movement 3 of 3
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Lakshmana sees the distress spreading through his own side. Bears and vanaras cry beneath the serpentlike rain, and the suffering of the army calls him from his place beside Rama.
He tightens the quiver at his waist and takes the bow into his hand. Anger rises as readiness, yet he does not let urgency carry him past the source of his service. Before moving toward Ravana, he bends his head at Rama's feet.
The gesture is brief enough to fit inside a breath, but it orders the whole scene. Weapon, strength, anger, and duty are first offered into remembrance. Only then does Lakshmana walk toward the field. The army sees a warrior advancing, but contemplation sees a servant whose first movement is downward in reverence and whose next movement carries that bowing into action.
Lakshmana enters the storm only after placing his strength where it has always belonged, at Rama's feet.
Read the passage from the Manas
निज दल बिकल देखि कटि कसि निषंग धनु हाथ। लछिमन चले क्रुद्ध होइ नाइ राम पद माथ।।82।।
Seeing his own forces in distress, Lakshmana girded his quiver tight, took bow in hand, and marched forth in righteous anger, bowing his head at Rama's lotus feet.