Till the past few episodes we were seeing how Lord Rama was in full appreciation for Hanuman’s speech and thus we had an opportunity to learn the essentialities 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 in 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 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 their experiences in the forest wherein they lost Sita to the demon king Ravana and that, they’re on their way in search of the Vaanara 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 – “From today, I’ll also be the servant to Lord Rama”, 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. Upon their arrival, Sugriva welcomes both Rama and Lakshmana into his small hamlet and comforts them as Hanuman formally introduces them to Sugriva. What happened next? What are the next series of incidents that took place at Kishkinta? Let’s wait till the next episode to find out!
The Indian Dharma 