Of foreign enemies always alert,
His brother Rama never to desert.
Attackers may come or may not,
But his attention never to drop.
Love for Rama fills his heart,
Thinks of him from day’s end to start.
Measure of man through company test,
From Lakshmana know that Shri Rama the best.
From slumber didn’t need to awaken,
Never brother Rama to be forsaken.
Left home for forest in a heartbeat,
Not afraid any situation to meet.
Always to stay by his brother’s side,
In protection mode in forest to reside.
Abandoning home for Lakshmana no giant leap,
His company this heart hoping to always keep.
Always quiet and ready,
In path of devotion steady.
Soon just became his turn,
Stripes in dedication to earn.
Though only Rama to forest sent,
In a second Lakshmana with Him went.
Prepared for moment his whole life as if,
Like his arrows moved with Rama swift.
Younger brother I am too,
In behavior I try to follow you.
Carrying bow, walking so innocent,
In protecting Rama so magnificent.
Though your vision makes me cry,
To remember it I always try.
Strength comes from your resolve shown,
Knowledge of devotion you own.
With arrow ready in attention you sit,
Never an attack on Shri Rama to hit.
When on victory’s brink,
Of His brother Rama he thinks.
Relies on virtue’s strength,
For arrow to travel proper length.
Into the body of fiend to pierce,
Will of Sumitra’s son is fierce.
Though known for resolve strong,
To Rama only his heart belongs.
Towards that brother I go,
His name I’ll never let go.
That he follows Rama I like,
That vision a beacon of light.
Not known for much talking,
With Sita and Rama in forest walking.
His behavior to his qualities gives sound,
Undoubtedly the best brother around.
Though in goodness having few to none,
Any dedication in me from him has come.
Thanks to Lakshmana for staying in my mind,
In him all beauty, virtue and goodness to find.
Shri Rama you wish to insult?
Then face Lakshmana’s wrath as result.
With him disparaging remarks not to sit well,
Any bad word at Rama causes his anger to swell.
Just like in Janakpur that one time,
Where princes failed to lift bow in a line.
Host declared contest over, away everyone to send,
Lakshmana then wanted to try, the bow in half to rend.
These emotions raised for Rama’s honor to defend,
A helping hand Lakshmana always ready to lend.
Having such a glorious brother,
Makes Rama like no other.
In devotion to Him Lakshmana always alert,
The interests of Rama never to desert.
Vishnu as sons, boon to Dasharatha so rare,
After birth four brothers broke off into pairs.
Shatrughna with Bharata, Lakshmana to Rama’s side,
In felicity of youth brothers to reside.
Without Rama Lakshmana not to take a meal,
No rest either no matter how tired he feels.
From these vows know that no one more loyal,
Lakshmana renounced despite living life royal.
Rama this dedication joyfully accepted,
Sincere love to God never rejected.
Loyalty towards Lakshmana and brothers have the same,
Whether asleep or awake, keep in your heart their names.
“Devotion reserved for those not smart,
Towards enlightenment gives them a start.
Supposed to worship God alone,
Without need of deity in temple or home.
Perhaps this person may be more attractive,
To ascend the chain of rasas is the directive.”
These and many philosophies to hear,
Some closer to truth and others not near.
But only on one person I rely,
Service to anyone other never I’ll try.
Call me foolish or stupid, I don’t care,
Only upon Shri Rama I will stare.
Hanuman this system has authorized,
Than to him, none more wise.
Try to move me elsewhere and you’ll fail,
Rama my only Lord, of famed Ramayana tale.
Sita, Rama, Lakshmana are all I need,
With Hanuman in mind, worries are freed.
“Protecting the saints I walk this forest for,
So that Rakshasas to attack them no more.
Lakshmana, to a nearby cave Sita take,
Alone the demons’ destruction I will make.
Headed by Khara they all to hit the ground,
Struck by My arrows, their lives to lay down.”
Rama’s remarkable feat in Dandaka I particularly love,
That beautiful scene may I always think of.
Bhakti Poems 