----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 6:48
AM
Subject: [Oppiliappan] lakshmaNa 45
Post 45
Dear Sri vaishnava perunthagaiyeer,
In the previous 44 posts, we saw 'lakshmaNa' donning 11
roles. The study on the 11 th role of the 'minister' or counsel
ended in last post. Now we have to take up that servant role. Just to
recollect the minister lakshmaNa was more than a guru teaching dharmam to
raama who is 'raamO vigrahavaan dharma:' and the points lakshmaNa said were
similar to bhagavadh geethaa being taught by Krishna to Arjuna.
praagEva cha aagathaa thatra sumithraa lakshmaNa:
thadhaa |
seethaa cha aanaayithaa
sruthvaa priyam raama
abhishEchanam || 2-4-31
meaning: Hearing the good news of the coronation
ceremony of Raama, Sumithraa and LakshmaNa came there even before Seethaa was
brought.
parvathaadhiva nishkramya
simhO giri guhaa saya:
|
lakshmaNam
dhvaarisO~apa syath prahu anjalipuTam
sthhitham || 2-16-26
meaning: That Raama, who came out like a lion residing
in a mountain cave coming out of the cave, saw Lakshmana standing at the door,
bowing with palms of the hand joined and put to the forehead as a mark of
respect.
Continuation: this
lakshmaNa 'sOkham' on hearing the news of raama to go to forest also we have
seen – raama is about to go to meet mother kousalyaa –
tham baashpa paripoorNa aksha: prushThatha: anujagaama
ha |
lakshmaNa: parama
krudhdhha: sumithra aanandha vardhana: || 2-19-30
meaning: Lakshmana, the son of Sumithra, felt very
angry with his eyes filled with tears and accompanied behind Raama.
Point: The
following slOkam also we have seen – why I am adding it here is to show
lakshmaNa was there as a servant following his master – even though the
'chair' or position as 'crown prince' has changed but loyalty of lakshmaNa has
not changed. Just think these days how soon the loyanties change when a person
loses his chair.
LakshmaNa's virtues are described by vaalmeeki – as
equal to raama.
tham guNai: samathaam praapthO bhraathaa vipula
vikrama: |
soumithri: anuvavraaja
dhaarayan dhuHkham aathmajam || 2-19-39
meaning: LakshmaNa, who got virtues equal to Raama, who
was having great heroic valour and who was the brother, kept the grief within
himself and went along with Raama. [to kousalyaa's palace].
Continuation: Then
the angry young brother was subdued by raama.
Seethaa was informed about going to forest. After
persuasion by her, raama accepted seethaa in accompanying him. LakshmaNa came
there to the place where the couple had their argument, counters, and finally
came to understanding that seethaa will accompany raama, the two embracing
each other etc not once but twice – [already seen by us in that 'vanaja
nayanudani' krithi of thyaagaraaja]
Evam s ruthvaa thu samvaadham
lakshmaNa: poorvam aagatha: |
Baashpa paryaakula
eekshaNa sOkham sODhum
asaknuvan ||
2-31-1
sa bhraathu: charaNou gaaDham nipeeDya raghu nandhana:
|
seethaam uvaacha
athiya saam raaghavam cha
mahaavratham || 2-31-2
meaning: Lakshmana who came there earlier, heard the
conversation of Seethaa and Raama, having his eyes glut with tears, being
unable to bear the anguish, tightly pressed the feet of his brother and spoke
(as follows) to Raama who was performing a great vow and to Seethaa who
enjoyed great honour.
Point: this means, this servant
lakhsmaNa had the rights to enter the 'anthappuram' – the inner chambers,
where the couple were alone – a privilege given to certain 'special people'
only.
May be as a 'brother' also, lakshmaNa can enter the
palace chambers of his elder brother – but then certain protocol to be
observed – that too when the couple is in 'Ekaantham' - but for a servant with
special status – no rules, no protocols. Hope you can understand the
difference.
Now the role is being taken in full-fledged form -
kurushva maam anucharam vaidharmyam na iha vidhyathE |
kruthaarthO~ham
bhavishyaami thava cha artha: prakalpathE || 2-31-22
meaning: lakshmaNa to raama, 'Make me your attendant.
In this, there is no unrighteousness. Besides, I will be accomplishing my
objective. Your purpose also will be fulfilled."
Point: a
point to ponder here is, why lakshmaNa has to say 'kruthaarthO~ham
bhavishyaami' – 'I will be accomplishing my objective'.
This leads to us to ask – with what object he came into
this world? Answer is - It is clear that 'senRaal kudaiyaam' – ananthan –
lakshmaNa – is just expressing himself.
Another
question also comes up – ' thava
artha: cha prakalpathE - Your purpose also will be fulfilled' –
means
both raama and lakshmaNa talk something in encoded form – which they only
know.
These are subtle points, which are to be enjoyed in
detail. Of course we came to know that later – that is what is all raamaaaNam
about – that avathaara kaaryam. [Just recollect that lakshmaNa remembering he
is the part of great vishNu amsam in yudhdhha kaaNdam – a prelude is given
here]
What he will do is also spelt clearly by lakshmaNa in
next slokam -
dhanur aadhaaya
sa saram khanithra piTakaa
dhara: |
agratha: thE gamishyaami
panthaanam anudhar sayan ||
2-31-23
aaharishyaami thE nithyam moolaani cha phalaani cha |
vanyaani yaani cha anyaani sva aahaaraaNi thapasvinaam
|| 2-31-24
meaning: lakshmaNa to raama, 'Taking my bow and arrows
and carrying a spade and a basket, I will walk in front of you showing the
path. I will procure for you for all time the tubers, fruits and other things
which are good food stuffs available in the forest for sages."
Point: the
servant's duties in forest are spelt clearly – showing the path, collection of
foodstuffs etc. one more is spelt clearly – do everything what you need
-
bhavaamsthu saha vaidhEhyaa giri saanushu ramsyathE |
aham sarvam karishyaami jaagratha: svapatha: cha thE ||
2-31-25
meaning: You along with Seethaa enjoy yourself on
mountain-ridges. I shall do everything while you are awake or sleeping."
Point: So the
servant has taken over his duties – with the express permission granted by
raama in lakshmaNa accompanying to forest. Earlier it was more an informal one
– now it is formalized.
I think with a listing we can close the series in the
next post –
Dhasan
--
Vasudevan MG