Lakshmana: A man with unwavering loyalty, love and commitment to Lord Rama

An emblem of respect, reverence and obedience towards elders, Lakshmana, like his other brothers was born with the grace of Agni, the Fire-God emerging from Putrakama yagna. Along with his twin brother Shatrughna, he was born of Sumitra, King Dasharatha’s second wife.

According to the Hindu epic Ramayana, Lakshmana is regarded as one-fourth the manifestation of Lord Vishnu and is considered to be an avatar of Shesha, the thousand-headed serpent, Lord Vishnu’s companion.

After Lord Rama and Sita's marriage was formalized, their siblings too were married off with each other. While Laxmana married Urmila, Shatrughana married Shrutkirti and Bharat married Mandavi.

Lakshamana and his wife Urmila were two individuals who regardless of their own happiness performed their duties, silently suffering through pain and agony, seeking nothing in return.

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Lakshmana’s decision to accompany his brother in 14 years of exile marked his extreme love and respect for Lord Rama. Not only did he gave up the luxuries of the world, but also his sleep.

It is believed that in order to protect Rama and Sita during exile, Lakshmana gave up his sleep and in order to let her husband serve undisturbed for next 14 years, Urmila requested the Goddess of Sleep, Nidra, to bestow her with deep sleep on behalf of her husband.

In Panchvati, Lakshmana also builds a hut for Rama and Sita to live in. Lakshmana cuts off Ravana's sister Surpanakha's nose in anger when she tries to go after Rama and insults Sita.

In another instance, when Sita asks Rama to fetch a magical golden deer for her, Rama asks Lakshmana to stand guard as he sensed danger and evil.

The golden deer is in fact the demon Maricha, who distracts Rama. When Rama kills Maricha, he cries out in Rama's own voice for help. Although Lakshmana knows that Rama is invincible and beyond any danger, Sita panics and frantically orders Lakshmana to go to Rama's aid immediately.

Unable to disobey Sita, Lakshmana draws a perimeter line, which we all know as Lakshmana Rekha, which Sita must not cross until Lakshmana returns with Rama.

Sita however, out of compulsion of religious duty and compassion for a poor Brahmin, who is Ravana in disguise, crosses the line to give him alms following which she is abducted.

Lakshmana Rekha has become a metaphor in situations where a certain limit must not be transgressed by human beings in any circumstance whatsoever.

During the war between Rama and Ravana, he killed Indrajit and Atikaya, sons of Ravana. Before he killed Indrajit, Lakhshmana and Rama were twice defeated by Indrajit and in both occasions Hanuman's intervention saved them from certain death.

Lakshmana is personified by Rama as a man with unwavering loyalty, love and commitment to his elder brother through times of joy and adversity alike.