Lakshmana’s principles in life are centered on Rama. He declares that Rama is everything to him and that he does not look behind Him and beyond Him. He strives to obtain Rama’s approbation and his goal is Rama’s happiness. When Rama and Sita leave for the forest with Lakshmana, he allays the fears of the people who are concerned about their welfare. He assures them that he would look after the couple. Lakshmana exemplifies the practice of karma, jnana and bhakti by his exceptional devotion and service to the Supreme Being incarnate, pointed out Kidambi Sri Narayanan in a discourse.
Rama is overwhelmed with gratitude and love for Lakshmana on seeing the lovely hermitage he had built for them at Panchavati. Everything about the hermitage speaks loud of Lakshmana’s skill and resourcefulness. There is ample room for the performance of daily rituals and worship, and a section of it is meant for meeting with the sages who might visit them. Lakshmana has also designed a very comely section for the privacy of Rama and Sita. In joy Rama embraces Lakshmana and says that He finds a father in Lakshmana. Does not his service to Rama far exceed the unselfish love of a father who cares for the well being of his child in anticipating and fulfilling its needs? Rama loudly acknowledges that as far as He is concerned, Dasaratha continues to live in Lakshmana and that He has no occasion to miss His father.
Sita too pays a tribute to Lakshmana when she speaks to Hanuman about him in Asoka Vana. “If Lakshmana is by my husband, Rama never thinks of his dead father for Lakshmana more than takes up his place.” She adds that he looked upon Rama and herself as his own parents and was for ever engaged in their service.
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