The Ramayana

by

R. K. Narayan

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Lakshmana Character Analysis

Lakshmana is Rama's half brother, and son to King Dasaratha. The two are very close, and Lakshmana represents the ideal brother. He chooses to go with Rama when the sage Viswamithra asks for Rama's help as boys, and when Rama is exiled, Lakshmana chooses to go into exile with his brother. He's extremely adept at fighting and Rama is also surprised to discover that Lakshmana is gifted with the skills of an architect. Lakshmana is, however, somewhat more emotionally driven than Rama is; at several points in the story, Rama has to talk Lakshmana out of making rash or violent decisions without thinking them through. At other times, Lakshmana shows that he's equally as level-headed as his brother. Though he marries Sita's sister, Lakshmana's wife doesn't factor into the story in a major capacity. Similarly, though he's a twin to Sathrugna, he's much closer to Rama than his twin.

Lakshmana Quotes in The Ramayana

The The Ramayana quotes below are all either spoken by Lakshmana or refer to Lakshmana. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Heroism Theme Icon
).
1. Rama's Initiation Quotes

You will learn the answer if you listen to this story—of a woman fierce, ruthless, eating and digesting all living creatures, possessing the strength of a thousand mad elephants.

Related Characters: Viswamithra (speaker), Rama, Lakshmana, Thataka
Page Number: 11
Explanation and Analysis:

Just as the presence of a little loba (meanness) dries up and disfigures a whole human personality, so does the presence of this monster turn into desert a region which was once fertile.

Related Characters: Viswamithra (speaker), Rama, Lakshmana, Thataka
Page Number: 12
Explanation and Analysis:

A woman of demoniac tendencies loses all consideration to be treated as a woman.

Related Characters: Viswamithra (speaker), Rama, Lakshmana, Thataka
Page Number: 12
Explanation and Analysis:
3. Two Promises Revived Quotes

"I'll be the fate to overpower fate itself," said Lakshmana, with martial arrogance. Rama argued with him further. "I'll change and alter fate itself, if necessary..."

Related Characters: Lakshmana (speaker), Rama, Dasaratha, Bharatha, Kaikeyi
Page Number: 52
Explanation and Analysis:
6. Vali Quotes

The perfect man takes a false step, apparently commits a moral slip, and we ordinary mortals stand puzzled before the incident. It may be less an actual error of commission on his part than a lack of understanding on ours; measured in Eternity, such an event might stand out differently.

Related Characters: Rama, Lakshmana, Sugreeva, Vali
Related Symbols: Bows and Arrows
Page Number: 90
Explanation and Analysis:

"We should not become too analytical about a friend, nor look too deeply into original causes; but accept only what appears good to us in the first instance, and act on it."

Related Characters: Rama (speaker), Lakshmana, Sugreeva, Vali, Bharatha
Page Number: 99
Explanation and Analysis:
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Lakshmana Quotes in The Ramayana

The The Ramayana quotes below are all either spoken by Lakshmana or refer to Lakshmana. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Heroism Theme Icon
).
1. Rama's Initiation Quotes

You will learn the answer if you listen to this story—of a woman fierce, ruthless, eating and digesting all living creatures, possessing the strength of a thousand mad elephants.

Related Characters: Viswamithra (speaker), Rama, Lakshmana, Thataka
Page Number: 11
Explanation and Analysis:

Just as the presence of a little loba (meanness) dries up and disfigures a whole human personality, so does the presence of this monster turn into desert a region which was once fertile.

Related Characters: Viswamithra (speaker), Rama, Lakshmana, Thataka
Page Number: 12
Explanation and Analysis:

A woman of demoniac tendencies loses all consideration to be treated as a woman.

Related Characters: Viswamithra (speaker), Rama, Lakshmana, Thataka
Page Number: 12
Explanation and Analysis:
3. Two Promises Revived Quotes

"I'll be the fate to overpower fate itself," said Lakshmana, with martial arrogance. Rama argued with him further. "I'll change and alter fate itself, if necessary..."

Related Characters: Lakshmana (speaker), Rama, Dasaratha, Bharatha, Kaikeyi
Page Number: 52
Explanation and Analysis:
6. Vali Quotes

The perfect man takes a false step, apparently commits a moral slip, and we ordinary mortals stand puzzled before the incident. It may be less an actual error of commission on his part than a lack of understanding on ours; measured in Eternity, such an event might stand out differently.

Related Characters: Rama, Lakshmana, Sugreeva, Vali
Related Symbols: Bows and Arrows
Page Number: 90
Explanation and Analysis:

"We should not become too analytical about a friend, nor look too deeply into original causes; but accept only what appears good to us in the first instance, and act on it."

Related Characters: Rama (speaker), Lakshmana, Sugreeva, Vali, Bharatha
Page Number: 99
Explanation and Analysis: