| Lakshmana | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Family | Duryodhana (father) Duryodhana's chief queen (mother) Lakshmanā (sister) |
| Relatives | Dhritarashtra (grandfather) Gandhari (grandmother) Kauravas Pandavas (half-uncles) Dushala(aunt) |
Lakshmana (Sanskrit: लक्ष्मण, romanized:Lakṣmaṇa) was a son ofDuryodhana, a prominent figure in the Hindu epicMahabharata. He is described as a valiant warrior and a skilled archer.[1] During theKurukshetra War, Lakshmana was slain on the thirteenth day of theKurukshetra War byAbhimanyu, who decapitates him using an arrow.[2]
TheMahabharata gives sparse information about Lakshmana, other than his participation in theKurukshetra War between two rival cousin group—Pandavas andKauravas. Lakshmana fought from the Kaurava side, supporting his fatherDuryodhana, the leader of the Kauravas. On the second day of the Kurukshetra War, a furious melee ensued between Lakshmana andAbhimanyu, the son of PandavaArjuna. When Abhimanyu was on the cusp of victory, Duryodhana rushed to his son's aid.[3][1]
On the twelfth day of the war, Lakshmana injured Kshatradeva, the son of warriorShikhandi.[4][1]
On the thirteenth day of the war, Lakshmana was stationed near his father, fighting his foes with great prowess. When Abhimanyu approached Lakshmana Kumara, the former was assailed with arrows on his arms and chest. Enraged, Abhimanyu employed a broad-headed arrow, which beheaded Lakshmana. In retaliation, Duryodhana rallied a number of powerfulKaurava warriors to attack Abhimanyu simultaneously, resulting in his death.[5]
Following the conclusion of the war, the death of Lakshmana is mourned by hismother. When the sageVyasa, through his yogic powers, facilitated a vision for Pandava and Kaurava matriarchs—Kunti andGandhari respectively—to see the deceased warriors, Lakshmana was among those who appeared.[1]
In a folktale called theSasirekha Parinayam, a tale about Lakshmana's life prior to Kurukshetra War is narrated. Duryodhana's teacher,Balarama, arranged the marriage of his daughterSasirekha (also called Vatsala) with Lakshmana. However, Krishna, Balarama's younger brother, sought how to strengthen the ties of his own family and that of Arjuna. As part of a ploy, he invited his sister,Subhadra, and her son, Abhimanyu, to his house while the wedding preparations were underway. Abhimanyu and Sasirekha fell in love and subsequently eloped. This incident brought much shame to Balarama, and served to infuriate Duryodhana.[6]
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