Death of Lord Lakṣman

After Sītā’s departure from the world, Rāma often thought of Her. He could not even think of taking another wife and He had an exquisite gold image of Sītā made by expert artisans. That statue sat next to Him in the royal court and at sacrifices, serving as the queen. A period of eleven thousand years passed with Rāma ruling the world, assisted by His three brothers. He performed ten thousand great sacrifices and the earth enjoyed unprecedented opulence. All creatures were happy and everything functioned in accordance with the arrangement of the Supreme Lord. Religion was firmly established and everyone led pious lives.

One day, toward the end of his rule, Rāma was visited by an unusual ascetic, who glowed with a divine radiance. That Brahmin, having been worshiped by Rāma, introduced himself as a messenger of Brahmā. He asked for a private audience with Rāma, saying, “O emperor, no one should hear the words that pass between us. If anyone should interrupt us, then they must be killed by You.” Agreeing to this request from the Brahmin, Rāma brought him into His personal quarters. He told Lakṣman to stand outside and prevent anyone from entering, explaining to Him what the ascetic had said.

When they were alone, the ascetic said to Rāma, “O Lord, You should know that I am Death. Brahmā has asked me to come here and inform You that the time allotted for Your earthly pastimes is drawing to a close. You have achieved all that You desired to achieve. Now, if it so pleases You, You may return to Your own eternal abode.”

Death described to Rāma some of His former incarnations in the material world, concluding by saying, “O Rāma, You are the eternal Supreme Being. You appear in the world to establish religion and destroy the demons. The time set by Yourself for this incarnation is now almost over. Be pleased then to resume Your place as the Lord and protector of the gods.”

Rāma laughingly replied, “O destroyer of all, welcome is your visit here. Surely your words fill Me with pleasure. It is indeed time for My departure. Please return to Brahmā and tell him that I and all My brothers shall leave within a short time.”

As Rāma spoke with Death, the great mystic Durvāsā came to the city. Desiring to see Rāma, he was shown into the palace, where he was met by Lakṣman. He asked for an audience with Rāma, but Lakṣman told him Rāma was busy at that time. Immediately blazing up with anger, Durvāsā said, “I will not be kept waiting. Go at once, O son of Sumitra, and inform Rāma of my presence. Otherwise know that I shall curse You, Your brothers, this territory and all Your descendents. Indeed, my anger is already difficult to contain.”

Seeing the irascible sage preparing to utter a curse, Lakṣman bowed to him and quickly went towards Rāma’s quarters. Thinking, “Let there be only My death rather than that of all My kinsmen,” He entered the room, where He saw Rāma speaking with Death.

When Rāma heard that Durvāsā was waiting, He immediately came out to greet him. Touching the ṛṣi’s feet, He asked, “What shall I do to please you, O great one?”

Durvāsā replied that he had been fasting for one thousand years and desired to take food that day and break his fast. “Kindly bring me cooked foods, O Rāma, so that I may end my long penance.”

Rāma had Durvāsā seated comfortably in the palace and He personally served him with varieties of excellent food. After the sage had left, and Death had also departed, Lakṣman said to Rāma, “I must now die, dear brother, for that was the promise You made to Death. Punish Me in accord with Your word to that deity.”

Remembering His discussion with Death, Rāma felt shocked. Speechless with grief at the thought of separation from Lakṣman, He shed tears and stood gazing at His beloved brother. How could He be killed?

Lakṣman folded His palms and said, “Do not feel sorrow for Me, O gracious one. Time is all-powerful. Bound by our former acts, we must all come under death’s sway. O King, keep Your promise without fear. Those men who break their promises will go to hell.”

Rāma sat down on His throne, struck with sorrow. He called for His ministers and informed them of what had taken place. Vasiṣṭa then said, “O Rāma, all this was foreseen by me. The time for the conclusion of Your pastimes has arrived. You should abandon Lakṣman now. Do not give up Your promise, for if You do, then righteousness in this world will perish. Along with righteousness, all beings will also be destroyed. Therefore, O lion among men, be separated from Lakṣman today.”

Rāma looked at Lakṣman. “I leave You, O son of Sumitra. Let not virtue suffer. Desertion and slaying are considered equal according to the wise. Therefore do I abandon You today.”

Lakṣman prostrated Himself before Rāma with tears in His eyes. He then stood up and left the palace, going directly to the forest. Reaching the banks of the Sarayu, He sat down in meditation, preparing to observe the praya vow of fasting till death. With His eyes half-closed, He suspended His breathing and entered a deep trance. As He sat absorbed in thought of the Supreme, Indra came there invisible to all and took Him away to the heavens. Thus it appeared to all men that Lakṣman had died.