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The IUP Journal of English Studies :
Valmiki’s Portrayal of Lakshmana and the Notion of ‘Lak mivardhana’ of Rama
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The Ramayana narrates the graceful march of its protagonist, Rama— a march that reflects a judicious combination of static tranquility and dynamic adaptability—in search of good conduct, good heart, goodwill, good words, and a good world worth living in. A careful analysis of this march of Rama, however, reveals that Lakshmana, his brother, played a pivotal role in the elevation and elegance of this ideal persona of Rama. Sacrificing his personal comforts, indeed displaying indifference toward earthly pleasures, Lakshmana remains steadfast— even in the face of unkindness and unreasonableness—in his devotion to Rama and his wife, Sita. He simply loved Rama “with the possessive loyalty of a mother.” And, having invited this course of life on his own, Lakshmana, surrendering his life to Rama, distinguishes himself adorned by “Pratishtha,” the ultimate human dignity, by conducting himself as “lak mivardhana”—causing prosperity to grow—of Rama, and that is what this paper attempts to examine

 
 
 

Lakshmana, the brother of Rāma, is generally perceived as a simple character: quick to lose his temper but equally quick to regain his composure, not much concerned with Dharma in the abstract sense, and his actions and reactions are governed solely by his devotion to Rāma—“Rāma was all in all to him, he did not look beyond Rāma.” Many characters from the Rāmāyana consider Lakshmana as “amarṣ ī durjayō jētā vikrāntō buddhimānbalī / rāmasya dakṣ i ṇō bāhurnityaṅ prā ṇō bahiś caraḥ—is impatient, invincible, victorious, bold, intelligent, and strong. He is even the right hand of Rāma, his outer life” (Vālmīkī 2001, 3.34.13).1

 
 
 

English Studies Journal, Valmiki’, Portrayal, Lakshmana, Notion, ‘Lak mivardhana’, Intriguingly, Valmiki, Lakshmana, Submitting, Dictates, Rama Amidst Grief and Joy, Rama