Since we are learning about the epic Ramayana in its entirety which is deeply spiritual and a pursuit of righteousness or our dharma, let me touch upon the dharma or spirituality of India. Central to the epic is the concept of Dharma – the moral order of the universe. Rama, the central figure, embodies virtue, truth and duty, serving as a spiritual role model. In the great spiritual traditions of India, especially in the Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita, the pursuit of Dharma is seen as the highest calling of human life. Dharma is not merely "duty" in a narrow sense—it is the alignment of one’s actions with the cosmic order, truth, and righteousness. Just as every star shines in its own place, every person has a role that only they can fulfill. Dharma teaches that fulfillment comes not from imitating another’s path, but from embracing one’s own. To do the task one is destined for is to honor the divine plan. Rama’s destiny was to uphold righteousness as a king, Sita’s was to embody purity and devotion, and Hanuman’s was to serve with boundless energy and loyalty. Each fulfilled their Dharma, and in doing so, they became immortal examples. Society thrives when each person performs their rightful duty—whether as a teacher, healer, warrior, or servant. Neglecting one’s Dharma leads to imbalance, while embracing it creates harmony and spiritual progress.
Dharma is not about personal gain but about service to truth and the greater good. Often, Dharma requires sacrifice—Rama’s exile, Arjuna’s battle, or a parent’s devotion to their child. Paradoxically, by accepting the task we are destined for, we find liberation. True freedom is not escape from responsibility, but living it with integrity. Our pursuit of Dharma is a journey of self-realization. Each man should do the task he is destined for—not because fate binds him, but because destiny is the path to his highest self. When we walk in alignment with Dharma, our lives become offerings to the divine order, and every action becomes sacred. Dharma is rooted in truth (satya), compassion (karuna), and justice (nyaya). It cannot be genuinely “wrong,” because by definition it aligns with cosmic order. A person’s true Dharma is the duty that life has entrusted to him, and in fulfilling it with integrity, he becomes one with the eternal order of the universe. By learning these sacred texts, the greatest learning we should pursue our duty even when it seems daunting. A ruler should be ruler, a king should be king, father should be father, worker should be worker and an employee should be employee. We should honor the roles by bringing the deepest nature within us and living by these tasks, come what may. There is no escape or evasion. A person’s true Dharma is the duty that life has entrusted to him, and in fulfilling it with integrity, he becomes one with the eternal order of the universe.
After evaluating personally, we need to understand the true nature of India is its spirituality. The dharma of India lies in its spiritual path and in complementing the world with spiritual bread and butter and not competing, imitating the west. India has been recognized for millennia as a cradle of spirituality, where the Vedas, Upanishads, and epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata laid down timeless wisdom about the self, the universe, and the pursuit of liberation (moksha). While India has seen empires, trade, and science, its identity has never been purely material. Spirituality has always guided its knowledge systems, shaping ethics, governance, and culture. Seekers from across the world—from ancient pilgrims to modern travelers—have come to India in search of enlightenment, drawn by practices like yoga, meditation, and the teachings of sages. The Ramayana offers spirituality by showing that life itself is a sacred journey. Every character, trial, and triumph is a lesson in how to live with integrity, devotion, and awareness of the divine. It is not just a story of Rama rescuing Sita — it is a map for the soul’s journey toward liberation. The spiritual re-awakening of India is the best spiritual offering to the world. The journey in this path is our dharma in this world. Learning the epics like Ramayana and spreading its essence renders us true servants of real India, while activating the nation in its greatest spiritual awakening.
Coming back to the story, we are learning about the arrival of sage Durvasa while Rama is conversing with death. In the final days of Rama’s reign, Death arrived with Brahma’s message that his earthly mission was complete. As Rama held a private audience with Death, the fiery sage Durvasa demanded immediate entry. Bound by Rama’s command yet fearing Durvasa’s curse, Lakshmana chose to break the secrecy to save the kingdom. Rama received and served the sage, who sought only food to end a thousand-year fast. But the divine condition had been broken, sealing Lakshmana’s fate and signaling the end of Rama’s earthly life. Accepting destiny, Rama prepared for his final departure toward the Sarayu and his return as Vishnu. Let us learn the result of Lakshmana breaking the word in following chapter.
In chapter 106, Rama banishes Lakshmana.
In the aftermath of Durvasa’s visit and the fateful interruption of Rama’s secret audience with Death, Rama stood grief-stricken, his head bowed like the moon eclipsed. Understanding the depth of his brother’s anguish, Lakshmana approached him with calm affection. He spoke gently yet firmly, reminding Rama that destiny—not misdeed—had shaped the circumstances. He urged Rama not to grieve on his account, for the chain of events had its roots in a past cause already ordained by fate. Since Rama had pledged to uphold the condition of secrecy and its consequence, Lakshmana insisted that the vow must be honoured.
He entreated Rama to carry out the required punishment without hesitation, even if it meant Lakshmana’s death. In his view, truth and honour stood above personal relationships, and one who failed to keep a promise was destined for hell. With unwavering devotion, he told Rama that if there was any affection or any merit in him, Rama must fulfil his vow. His words were not born of despair but of clear adherence to dharma—a willingness to sacrifice himself to protect his brother’s righteousness and to preserve the stability of the world.
Rama, deeply troubled, summoned his ministers and priests. Before the gathered assembly, he recounted all that had happened: Death’s conditions, Durvasa’s sudden arrival, Lakshmana’s agonizing choice, and the now-broken vow. The assembly fell silent, overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation. Finally, the venerable sage Vasishtha spoke. He acknowledged the immense pain Rama felt at the thought of separating from Lakshmana, yet he emphasized that the laws of the universe rested upon truth and adherence to dharma. If a king, especially one of Rama’s stature, failed to uphold a vow, righteousness would crumble. And if righteousness perished, the three worlds—gods, sages, men, and all living beings—would fall into ruin.
Thus Vasishtha advised that Lakshmana must be abandoned. Death was powerful, and kings must uphold cosmic order even when doing so meant personal agony. A promise must not be broken, and virtue must never be sacrificed. The welfare of the universe depended upon Rama’s fidelity to dharma.
Hearing the words of the wise sage, and seeing that his ministers and priests silently agreed, Rama steeled himself. Before the assembly he addressed Lakshmana with a heavy heart: to preserve righteousness, he must banish him. For a warrior and man of honour, exile was equivalent to death; yet the decree had to be spoken.
Lakshmana, overwhelmed with sorrow, accepted the command without protest. Without returning home or taking leave of loved ones, he departed swiftly from Ayodhya. His mind was shaken, but his resolve was firm. He walked alone until he reached the banks of the sacred Sarayu River. There, after performing his ablutions, he joined his palms, closed his senses, and entered deep meditation.
In his final act, Lakshmana withdrew his breath and surrendered himself entirely to contemplation. As he stilled his life force, the heavens responded. Gods, Apsaras, and Rishis showered him with blossoms, honouring the noble soul who had sacrificed himself for dharma. At that moment, Lakshmana became invisible to the mortal world.
Shakra (Indra), king of the gods, came personally and bore him away bodily to the celestial realms. For Lakshmana was no ordinary mortal—he was the fourth part of Vishnu incarnate. As he entered heaven, the gods rejoiced, united in reverence for the radiant soul returning to his divine origin.
This concludes chapter 106 of Uttara Kanda where we had seen Lakshmana departing for heaven. Rama banishes Lakshmana as it is the right thing to do and Lakshmana, ever obedient, promptly accepts the order without hesitation. Thus, after thousands of years, after 7 books and learning the epic which has the firm roots with Rama and Lakshmana, the younger brother now departs the mortal world and becomes one with the god. We will learn about Rama installing Lava, Kusha on throne in subsequent chapter.
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