RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN AYODHYAKANDA CHAPTER 23 PART ONE

                                                                 RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN

                                                             CHAPTER NUMBER 23 PART ONE

                                                                           LAKSHMANA’S REPLY

Lakshmana was not impressed. He never raised his eyes from the ground. It was a sign that Rama’s argument did not convince him. Lakshmana was torn between joy and sorrow. He rejoiced at Rama’s firmness in his adherence to dharma. He sensed grief at Rama having to renounce the throne. Lakshmana could hardly speak. His brow was knotted and wrinkled. He frowned like an infuriated lion. He hissed forth burning sighs like a serpent. He moved his head up and down. It looked like the rising waves of his wrath. He crossed and uncrossed his fingers. He did this and it looked like an elephant moving its trunk this way and that way. He shot a glance at his brother, Rama. He said to Rama, “It is very bad that you should exhibit such happiness at being exiled to the forests. You say if we do not fulfil our father’s word to Kaikeyi, it is against dharma. Weaklings, cowards, lunatics bow before their Destiny! They let themselves to be kicked around. But you are the flower of valour and royalty. You do not require anyone’s help to see the back of Destiny. Your head is ever cool. Your heart is ever calm. It does not behove you to bow before Destiny. Destiny is not omnipotent, unassailable and invincible. Brihaspati said, ‘Destiny is the last refuge of a coward.’ Destiny is the god of the impotent. Man’s will alone is omnipotent. Destiny flies before a strong man like you!”