Ramayan 12 January 2013
In Valmiki Ramayan, Ram uses the term bhaavajnah to describe Lakshman.
The word bhaavajnah means 'the knower of other's feelings'. Lakshmana is well aware of other's feelings while talking with sages, his brothers, his mothers and his ministers like Hanuman and other subjects. Here also Lakshmana knew the feelings of Rama as to how the cottage is envisioned by Rama, with due privacy to Rama and Seetha, with a porch, worship-room, and an accommodation for himself. Though he himself is a prince, Lakshmana did not construct the cottage for his comfort, but the convenience of Rama and Seetha are counted firstly. The word dharmaatmaa , virtue souled one, are prefixed to Dasharatha like dharmaatmaa mama pitaa virtue-souled, my, father, Ram intends to say that 'the virtue-souled Dasharatha has left you(Lakshman) behind him (Dasharath) for my sake, because you are arranging all the things for me, as a father would naturally do for his son.' The word samvrittah is used in the observation of Dr. Satya Vrat in his book 'The Ramayana - A Linguistic Study.This word has been found used in a rather remarkable sense [in Ramayana.] It is 'to die'. samvrittah means dead. Ordinarily samvrittah has quite the opposite sense, viz., 'born', i.e., father Dasharatha took rebirth as Lakshmana, to provide for the needs of Rama. Hence Rama said in this concept that - 'my father is though 'dead', but 'born' again in you, Lakshmana.'
This scene depicts the relationship between Ram and Lakshman and portrays Lakshman as the one who fulfills the roles of (all the) relations that Ram has left behind at Ayodhya. He acts as father, mother, protector, guardian,a brother as well as that of a dutiful servant at the same time guiding Ram to maintain composure especially when he laments over Sita's disppearance. In the above mentioned cottage building scene, Ram acknowledges Lakshman's service to him being that of a father/protector. If the scene was included, Lakshman's devotion to Ram could be translated onscreen through this scene.
The Ram Lakshman scene was rushed without dwelling on how beautiful their relationship was. The above scene from Valmik's Ramayan could have brought out the deep rooted bonding between Ram-Lakshman. Screenplay continues to remain inconsistent. I am sure its absurd to continue showing Ravan meting out third degree torture to Shanidev. I hope next week there is continuation to the cottage building scene, even if a 20% of what is described in different versions of Ramayan can be included. It would have been an attempt to portray Lakshman's selfless service which may help people regard Lakshman with more empathy.
As for Neil's scene, I guess he seems to enhance the briefly played out scene by bringing out a reasonably good chemistry between him and Gagan as brothers. It was a beautiful scene where he promises his bhabhi to build the best dwelling place where there would be no hardships for her during the 'vanvaas' The promise comes straight from his heart having been witness to his brother and bhabhi's hardships in forest life. He is determined that with his efforts he wants to give them and especially her the best comforts to lead a happy life with his brother with no reason for her to complain. The eyes hold a brief grieving followed by determination and a promise.
However the screenplay could have been better, Lakshman had earlier argued with Bharat that a princess(referring to Sita) who never was away from the comforts of palace currently suffers in the forest because of Bharat and his mom. If i have to believe that princesses did not have to cook way back then, Lakshman could not ask his bhabhi to decide about the kitchen. He cant assume that his bhabhi can cook. Or may be I am overreacting, may be it goes without saying, come hell or high waters, a woman has to know to cook.
Edited by My-Simi - 11 years ago
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