Till the past few episodes we were seeing how Lord Rama was in full appreciation for Hanuman’s way of talking and thus we had an opportunity to learn the essentials of delivering a brilliant lecture/speech. In today’s episode we shall see what is the reply given by Lakshmana to Hanuman.
After Lord Rama finishes his accord on Hanuman, Lakshmana is in complete awe with the way he appreciated Hanuman’s speech. Lakshmana is also referred to as “Sahasra Vadana”, meaning the incarnation of “Aadisesha” (The Incarnation of the thousand-headed serpent that serves as Lord Vishnu’s bed at “Paarkadal” – The ocean of Milk). Now Lakshmana starts to reply with the following verses.
“Aachachakshe mahaatmaanam Raamam dasharathaatmajam!
Raja dasharato naama dyutimaan dharma vatsalaha!!
Chaaturvarnyam svadharmena nityameva abipaalayan!”
Lakshmana starts replying to Hanuman, explaining their entire family history, starting from King Dasaratha. He explains to Hanuman how the great king Dasaratha performed the “Putra-Kaameshti” yaaga (Offering to the sacrificial fire for the want of a son) and obtained four sons – Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna. He goes on to narrate the entire story as to how they came to the forest on the pretext of the two boons asked by “Kaikeyi” (One of the three wives of Dasaratha and the mother of Bharatha), and their experiences in the forest wherein they lost Sita DeviLord Rama’s beloved wife) to the demon king Ravana and that, they’re on their way in search of the Vaanara (Monkey) king Sugriva.
While introducing himself and Rama to Hanuman, Lakshmana says the following, which is of great interest:
“Aham asya avarobhraata gunair tasyamupaagathaha!
Kritagnyasya bahugnyasya Lakshmano Raama naamakaha!!
Dhanur naama jiteh puthraha shaabaat raaksha shataangataha!
Evamuta dhanussargam braajamaano divangataha!!
Lokanaathaha puraa bhuudvaa sugreevannaathamichhati!”
Here, Lakshmana says “Lokanaathaha puraa bhuudvaa”, meaning, “If there’s one Lord for this entire world, that’s my brother Rama, and today He has come to seek help from Sugriva. Lakshmana continues, “Aham asya avarobhraata gunair tasyamupaagathaha!” meaning, “The world would describe me as the brother of Rama – The Lord of the entire Universe, but if you ask me, I would say that I’m a servant to Him. It’s not important for me to be His brother, but it’s more important for me to be his “Daasaa” (Meaning, “Servant” in Sanskrit). I’m a “Raama-Daasaa” more than a “Raama-braathaa” (Braatha means “Brother” in Sanskrit).
The moment, Hanuman hears the word “Daasaa”, he decides at that point – “Just like how Lakshmana serves as a “Daasa” for Lord Rama, from today I should also be the same!!”, and this continues even till date!! This is why Hanuman is also referred to as “Raama-Bhakta” or “Raama-Daasa”.
After this accord, Hanuman takes Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders, to the place where Sugriva is hiding and henceforth the two brothers declare friendship with Sugriva, and thus the story moves forward.
Thus with the blessings of Goddess Sita Devi, along with Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman, we come to the end of the blog series “Guru Vandanam”. I shall commence the next bigger series of “Management Lessons from Ramayana” shortly, wherein I would be explaining every “Kaanda” (Section”) of the Ramayana, in relation with the current day management. Stay tuned!!
The Indian Dharma 