In the Bala Kanda, Valmiki portrays the strong ties of affinity that exist between Rama and Lakshmana and Bharata and Shatrugna right from birth. Lakshmana is shown as capable of being both a fire brand and a calm person, said Kidambi Sri Narayanan in a lecture. When Rama was informed by Kaikeyi that His father wished Him to renounce the kingdom and proceed to the forest for 14 years, Lakshmana seethes with anger. He does not mince his words when he lashes against his father whom he sees as a doting old man who has lost his senses over his young wife Kaikeyi. He suspects a well-laid plot between them. The old king has pronounced on Rama a doom reserved for the most wicked of evil-doers. Rama tries to console Lakshmana and says he is His other Self, His very soul in another body. Rama speaks of the power of fate in the lives of people to calm him down but Lakshmana sees the situation as one of adharma.
Rama meets Sita and Kausalya to apprise them of Kaikeyi’s decree, and advises them of their conduct under Bharata’s rule. Then Rama bids Lakshmana to remain behind and look after Kausalya and Sumitra. But Lakshmana raises the point that Rama had already given permission to accompany Him to the forest and easily wins the point. He infers so because Rama never indicated anything about Lakshmana’s duties in His earlier conversations and surrenders to Rama to gain His consent.
Sumitra’s heart is filled with pride and joy at her son’s unalloyed devotion and advises him to guard and serve Rama. “Your elder brother is to you both preceptor and king.”
