Lakshman
by Toru Dutt
"Hark!
(Listen) Lakshman! Hark, again that cry!
It is, — it is my
husband's voice!
Oh hasten, (
hurry) to his succour (help) fly,
No more hast thou, dear
friend, a choice.
He calls on thee, perhaps
his foes (enemy)
Environ (Surrounding)
him on all sides round,
That wail, (cry) —
it means death's final throes!
Why standest (stand)
thou, as magic-bound? (inaction)
"Is this a time for
thought, — oh gird (build up)
Thy bright sword
on, and take thy bow!
He heeds (pay
attention) not, hears not any word,
Evil hangs over us, I
know!
Swift in decision, prompt
in deed,
Brave unto rashness,
(Carelessness) can this be,
The man to whom all
looked at need?
Is it my brother that I
see!
"Oh no, and I must
run alone,
For further here I cannot
stay;
Art thou transformed to
blind dumb stone!
Wherefore this impious,
(sinful) strange delay!
That cry, — that cry, —
it seems to ring
Still in my ears, — I
cannot bear
Suspense; if help we fail
to bring
His death at least we
both can share"
"Oh calm thyself,
Videhan Queen, (Ancient kingdom Mithila - Sita)
No cause is there for any
fear,
Hast
(hurry) thou his prowess (skill) never seen?
Wipe off (clear)
for shame that dastard tear!
What being of demonian
(devil) birth
Could ever brave his
mighty arm?
Is there a creature on
earth
That dares to work our
hero harm?
"The lion and the grisly
(fearful) bear
Cower (shiver)
when they see his royal look,
Sun-staring (ability
to gaze) eagles of the air
His glance (look
quickly) of anger cannot brook, (tolerate)
Pythons (anaconda)
and cobras at his tread (walk)
To their most secret coverts
(change) glide, (slip/roll)
Bowed to the dust (acknowledging
that person’s superiority) each serpent head
Erect (straight)
before in hooded (having) pride.
"Rakshasas, Danavs,
demons, ghosts,
Acknowledge in their
hearts his might, (recognize that person’s superpower)
And slink (move
smoothly) to their remotest coasts, (distant places)
In terror at his very
sight. (Afraid of that person)
Evil to him! Oh, fear it
not,
Whatever foes (enemy)
against him rise!
Banish
(exile) for aye (truly) the foolish thought, (doubting the person’s
power)
And be thyself, — bold,
great, and wise.
"He call for help! Canst
(can) thou believe
He like a child would shriek
(roar) for aid
Or pray for respite (rest)
or reprieve (pardon) —
Not of such metal (Gold)
is he made! (brave/ strong character)
Delusive (false)
was that piercing (sharp) cry, —
Some trick of magic by
the foe;
He has a work, — he
cannot die,
Beseech me not from hence
to go.
For here beside thee, as
a guard
'Twas (it was) he
commanded me to stay,
And dangers with my life
to ward (area)
If they should come
across thy way.
Send me not hence, for in
this wood
Bands (group)
scattered (separate) of the giants lurk, (hide)
Who on their wrongs (errors)
and vengeance (revenge) brood, (young)
And wait the hour their will
to work."
"Oh shame! and canst
(can) thou make my weal (happiness or property)
A plea (appel)
for lingering! (surviving) Now I know
What thou art, Lakshman!
And I feel
Far better were an open foe.
(enemy)
Art thou a coward? (weak)
I have seen
Thy bearing (relation)
in the battle-fray (wear out)
Where flew the death-fraught
arrows (dead arrows) keen, (sharp)
Else had I judged thee so
today.
"But then thy leader
stood beside!
Dazzles
(glare)
the cloud when shines the sun,
Reft (ruined)
of his radiance, (brightness) see it glide (Move smoothly)
A shapeless mass of vapours
(smoke) dun; (Brownish)
So of thy courage, — or
if not,
The matter is far darker dyed,
(wash)
What makes thee loth
(against) to leave this spot?
Is there a motive thou wouldst
(might) hide?
"He perishes (die)—
well, let him die!
His wife henceforth (after this) shall be mine own!
Can that thought deep imbedded
(fix) lie
Within thy heart's most
secret zone!
Search well and see! one
brother takes
His kingdom, — one would
take his wife!
A fair partition! — But
it makes
Me shudder,
(tremble) and abhor (hate) my life.
"Art thou in secret league
(join) with those
Who from his hope the
kingdom rent?
A spy from his ignoble
(unworthy) foes (enemy)
To track him in his banishment?
(exile)
And wouldst thou at his
death rejoice?
I know thou wouldst, or
sure ere now
When first thou heardst
that well known voice
Thou shouldst have run to
aid, I trow.
"Learn this, —
whatever comes may come,
But I shall not survive
my Love,
Of all my thoughts here
is the sum!
Witness it gods in heaven
above.
If fire can burn, or water
drown,
I follow him: — choose
what thou wilt
Truth
with its everlasting crown, (enduring reward of fidelity and sincerity.)
Or falsehood, treachery,
(betrayal), and guilt.
"Remain here with a vain
(useless) pretense
Of shielding (protect)
me from wrong and shame,
Or go and die in his
defence
And leave behind a noble
name.
Choose what thou wilt, —
I urge no more,
My pathway lies before me
clear,
I did not know thy mind
before,
I know thee now, — and
have no fear."
She said and proudly from
him turned, —
Was this the gentle Sita?
No.
Flames from her eyes shot
forth and burned,
The tears therein had ceased
(end) to flow.
"Hear me, O Queen, ere
(Prior) I depart,
No longer can I bear thy
words,
They lacerate (injure)
my inmost heart
And torture me, like
poisoned swords.
"Have I deserved
this at thine hand?
Of lifelong loyalty and
truth
Is this the meed?
(reward) I understand
Thy feelings, Sita, and
in sooth (truth)
I blame thee not, — but
thou mightst be
Less rash in judgement,
Look! I go,
Little I care what comes
to me
Wert thou but safe, — God
keep thee so!
"In going hence I
disregard
The plainest orders of my
chief,
A deed for me, — a
soldier, — hard
And deeply painful, but
thy grief
And language, wild and
wrong, allow
No other course. Mine be
the crime,
And mine alone. — but oh,
do thou
Think better of me from
this time.
"Here with an arrow,
lo, I trace
A magic circle ere I
leave,
No evil thing within this
space
May come to harm thee or
to grieve. (sorrow)
Step not, for aught,
across the line,
Whatever thou mayst see
or hear,
So shalt thou balk
(resist) the bad design
Of every enemy I fear.
"And now farewell!
What thou hast (hurry) said,
Though it has broken
quite my heart,
So that I wish I were
dead —
I would before, O Queen,
we part,
Freely forgive, for well
I know
That grief and fear have
made thee wild,
We part as friends, — is
it not so?"
And speaking thus he
sadly smiled.
"And oh ye sylvan
(pastoral) gods that dwell (live)
Among these dim (dull)
and sombre (dark) shades,
Whose voices in the breezes
swell (grow)
And blend with
noises of cascades, (waterfalls)
Watch over Sita, whom
alone
I leave, and keep her
safe from harm,
Till we return unto our
own,
I and my brother, arm in
arm.
"For though ill
omens round us rise
And frighten her dear
heart, I feel
That he is safe. Beneath
the skies
His equal is not, — and
his heel
Shall tread all
adversaries down,
Whoeve'r they may chance
to be.
Farewell,
O Sita! Blessings crown (positive outcomes and prosperity will surround
Sita)
And
peace for ever rest with thee!"
He said, and straight his
weapons took
His bow and arrows
pointed keen,
Kind, — nay, indulgent,
(liberal) — was his look,
No trace of anger, there
was seen,
Only a sorrow dark, that
seemed
To deepen his resolve to
dare
All dangers. Hoarse the
vulture screamed, (cried)
As out he strode (walk)
with dauntless (fearless) air.
Emotional Depth: The poem delves into the conflicting
emotions of Lakshman. On the one hand, he has deep love and admiration for his
brother Rama, and he is willing to go to any lengths to serve and protect him.
On the other hand, he also harbors love and concern for Sita, Rama's wife, whom
he has to leave in the forest as part of their exile. This emotional conflict
forms the heart of the poem.
Sacrifice and Loyalty: The poem showcases Lakshman's
unwavering loyalty and selflessness. He willingly gives up his comfort and
desires to accompany his brother and sister-in-law in their exile. His
sacrifice highlights his sense of duty and devotion.
Imagery and Nature: Toru Dutt employs vivid imagery from
nature to depict Lakshman's emotions. The serene beauty of the forest, the
moonlit nights, and the tranquil river serve as a backdrop to the emotional
turmoil within Lakshman's heart.
Cultural and Mythological Context: The poem is deeply rooted
in the Indian cultural and mythological context. It draws from the Ramayana,
one of the most significant epics in Hindu literature. Lakshman's character
embodies principles of duty, honor, and familial bonds.
In conclusion, "Lakshman" by Toru Dutt is a
poignant exploration of the inner conflict and sacrifice of Lakshman,
portraying his devotion to his brother Rama and the emotional struggle he faces
in fulfilling his duty. The poem's emotional depth, use of natural imagery, and connection to Indian mythology make it a timeless piece of literature.
