Dasharatha and Sumitra are the parents of the twins Lakshmana and Shatrughna, born on the same day as Rama and Bharata after the Putrakameshti sacrifice.
Lakshmana married Urmila, daughter of King Janaka and sister of Sita, at the same ceremony where Rama married Sita in Mithila. Their sons Angada and Chandraketu were later made rulers of Karupada and Chandrakanti.
Lakshmana is considered an incarnation of Shesha, the cosmic serpent on whom Vishnu reclines. He serves Rama as Shesha eternally serves Vishnu in Vaikuntha.
Garuda flew to Lanka and freed Rama and Lakshmana from the Nagapasha serpent-bonds that Indrajit had used to render them unconscious, dissolving the venomous coils with his radiant presence.
Vishwamitra came to Dasharatha's court and demanded the young Rama to protect his sacrifice from rakshasas. He trained Rama and Lakshmana in celestial weapons, led them to slay the demoness Tataka, and guided them to Janaka's court where Rama won Sita by breaking Shiva's bow.
Hanuman carried the entire Mount Dronagiri with its healing herbs to save Lakshmana from Indrajit's weapon before dawn.
Lakshmana accompanied Rama into fourteen years of forest exile and fought beside him throughout the war against Lanka. He was Rama's most devoted brother and constant companion.
Lakshmana and Shatrughna are twin sons of Sumitra. From infancy, Lakshmana bonded with Rama while Shatrughna bonded with Bharata, forming inseparable pairs.
Lakshmana served as Sita's protector during the exile. He drew the Lakshman Rekha to guard her from harm, but Sita crossed it when Ravana came disguised as a brahmin.
Lakshmana stood guard over Rama and Sita every night during their fourteen-year exile, remaining sleepless so they could rest safely in the forest.
Indrajit struck Lakshmana with the Shakti weapon, leaving him near death. Lakshmana was revived by the Sanjeevani herb and later killed Indrajit in their final duel.
Lakshmana cut off Shurpanakha's nose after she attacked Sita, provoking Ravana's wrath and the abduction of Sita. Lakshmana fought Ravana's forces throughout the war at Lanka.
Shurpanakha approached Rama in Dandaka forest and proposed marriage. When rejected, she attacked Sita, and Lakshmana cut off her nose and ears.
Lakshmana killed Indrajit in battle after a prolonged duel. Indrajit had previously wounded both Rama and Lakshmana with his Nagapasha and Shakti weapons.
Shurpanakha approached Rama in the Dandaka forest and was rejected; when she attacked Sita in a jealous rage, Lakshmana cut off her nose and ears. Her humiliation drove her to Ravana, setting the entire war for Lanka in motion.
Yama visited Rama in Ayodhya disguised as a sage to discuss the end of his earthly mission, demanding absolute privacy on pain of death for any who interrupted. Lakshmana, forced to choose between admitting the sage Durvasa or obeying the decree, broke the seal and accepted his own death sentence to protect Rama from a sage's curse.
Durvasa arrived at Rama's court demanding immediate audience while Rama met with Yama. Lakshmana chose to interrupt the meeting rather than let Durvasa curse Ayodhya, sacrificing his own life.
Kaikeyi's boons forced Rama into exile. Lakshmana was furious and urged Rama to seize the throne by force, but ultimately chose to accompany his brother into the forest.
Maricha disguised himself as a golden deer to lure Rama away from Sita. Lakshmana recognized the trap but was forced to leave Sita unprotected when she accused him of disloyalty.
Lakshmana stormed into Kishkindha with bow drawn when Sugriva broke his promise to help find Sita, spending months in revelry instead. His fury shook the Vanara king into action, reminding Sugriva that the same arrows that killed Vali could find him too.
Urmila remained in Ayodhya when Lakshmana left for exile. Tradition holds she slept for both of them during the fourteen years, absorbing Lakshmana's share of sleep so he could remain perpetually vigilant.
We use cookies to understand how you use our site and improve your experience. Learn more