________________
The Last night at Lanka
193
Actually, Lakshman's felicity and serenity were rooted in this spirit of detachment and dedication. He desired to remain throughout his life Shri Ram's humble servant, carrying out his commands with an absolute spirit of devotion. The situation would have changed completely if he had desired kingship. Shri Ram and Lakshman would not have been such a pair; they would not have been so united and affectionate towards each other as they were. He would not have been able to render such dedicated service to Shri Ram and Sita if he had even the slightest desire for kingship, power or prosperity. When a man thinks only of attaining his selfish ends, he would not care to ink of the welfare of the members of his family; he would not
ncestors; he would not care for the welfare of his country and of the human society at large; he would be always engaged in fulfilling his selfish ends. Such a man would totally ignore the welfare of his family and society, and would slight his Dharma.
Lakshman never in his life complained against the misfortunes that arose in his life. He never cared for his own selfish progress or happiness. That was why he was always in a state of absolute serenity. He revealed to Vishalya his attitude to life, his spirit of selflessness and absolute detachment. He made
y ideals. In order to help others, he had ered much in his life. He had experienced countless agitations and agonies; but those agitations and agonies could not really disturb his equanimity and serenity since they had been experienced for others. He was totally devoid of selfish aspirations or desires.
Lakshman's equanimity and spirit of dedication were based on a lofty truth; and that was his unexampled love and devotion for Shri Ram and Sita.
In the war against Ravan, Lakshman fell down unconscious when he was attacked by Ravan with his divine weapon, Amoghavijaya. There seemed to be no hope of Lakshman's revival. At that time, Shri Ram experienced inordinate anguish and wept like a child; and decided to end his life by falling into the flames of Lakshman's funeral pyre. When Lakshman came
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
