Lakshmana | |
---|---|
Spouse | Urmila |
Parents | |
Siblings |
Shatrughna (twin brother) Rama, Bharata (half-brothers) Shanta (half-sister) |
Children | Angada Chandraketu |
In the Hindu sacred text Ramayana, Lakshmana (Sanskrit Lakṣmaṇa) also known as Soumitri, Bharatanuja ""Laxman"", ""Lakhan"" is the younger brother and close companion of God Rama, hero of the epic and avatar of God Vishnu. Lakshmana is twin brother of Shatrughna. According to the Ramayana, Lakshmana is one quarter(25%) component of the manifest of Lord Vishnu and is considered to be an avatar of Shesha, the 1000 headed serpent associated with Lord Vishnu, the Supreme deity.
Lakshmana and his brother Shatrughna, were born in Ayodhya to Sumitra and King Dasharatha. In the Puranas, Lakshmana is described as an incarnation of Sesha, the multiple-headed nāga upon whom rests Lord Vishnu in the primordial ocean of milk (Kshirasagara). When sage Vishwamitra takes Rama for killing the demons, Lakshmana accompanies them and goes to Mithila with them. Lakshmana is specially attached to Rama and when Rama marries Sita, Lakshmana marries Sita's younger sister Urmila.They had two sons-Angad and Chandraketu. Later, when Rama goes on exile for fourteen years on the insistence of Kaikeyi, Lakshmana leaves his wife Urmila and joins Rama.
He serves Rama and Sita reverently during the exile. Lakshmana also built hut for Rama and Sita to live in Panchvati. Lakshmana cuts off Ravana's sister Surpanakha's nose in anger when she tries to covet Rama and insults Sita. He plays an important role in the war with Ravana and slays Ravana's son Indrajit.