In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Lakshmana Kumara (Sanskrit: लक्ष्मण कुमार, romanized: Lakṣmaṇa Kumāra, lit. 'Prince Lakshmana'), also rendered Lakshmana (Sanskrit: लक्ष्मण, romanized: Lakṣmaṇa) is the son of king Duryodhana and queen Bhanumati and a grandson of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari.[1] He is described to have a twin sister called Lakshmanā, who is kidnapped by Samba, a son of Krishna. He is slain on the thirteenth day of the Kurukshetra War by Abhimanyu, who decapitates him using an arrow.[2]
| Lakshmana Kumara | |
|---|---|
 Abhimanyu kills Lakshmana Kumara | |
| Information | |
| Family | Duryodhana (father) Bhanumati (mother) Lakshmanā (Sister) |
| Relatives | Dhritarashtra (grandfather) Gandhari (grandmother) Kauravas Pandavas (half-uncles) Dushala (aunt) |
Legend
editSasirekha Parinayam
editIn a folktale called the Sasirekha Parinayam, Balarama arranged the marriage of his daughter Sasirekha, also called Vatsala, and Lakshmana Kumara. His younger brother, Krishna, however, wished to strengthen the ties of his family and that of Arjuna. In a ploy, he invited his sister, Subhadra, and her son, Abhimanyu, to his house while the wedding preparations of Sasikrekha and Lakshmana Kumara ensued. Abhimanyu and Sasirekha fell in love and subsequently eloped. This incident brought much shame to Balarama, and served to infuriate Duryodhana.[3]
Mahabharata
editOn the second day of the Kurukshetra War, a furious melee ensued between Lakshmana Kumara and Abhimanyu. When Abhimanyu was on the cusp of victory, Duryodhana rushed to his son's aid.[4]
On the twelfth day of the war, Lakshmana Kumara injured Kshatradeva badly, the son of Shikhandi.[5]
On the thirteenth day of the war, Lakshmana Kumara was stationed near his father, fighting his foes with great prowess. When Abhimanyu approached Lakshmana Kumara, the former was assailed with arrows on his arms and chest. Enraged, Abhimanyu employed a broad-headed arrow, which beheaded Lakshmana Kumara. In retaliation, Duryodhana rallied a number of powerful Kaurava warriors to attack Abhimanyu simultaneously, resulting in the latter's death.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Indian Myth and Legend: Chapter XVIII. The Battle of Eighteen Days". Sacred-texts.com.
- ^ "The Mahabharata, Book 7: Drona Parva: Abhimanyu-badha Parva: Section XLIV". Sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ Vemsani, Lavanya (13 June 2016). Krishna in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Hindu Lord of Many Names: An Encyclopedia of the Hindu Lord of Many Names. ABC-CLIO. p. 16. ISBN 978-1-61069-211-3.
- ^ Mackenzie, Donald Alexander (15 August 2020). Indian Myth and Legend. BoD – Books on Demand. p. 254. ISBN 978-3-7524-4315-8.
- ^ The Mahabharata: Volume 7. Penguin UK. 1 June 2015. p. 60. ISBN 978-81-8475-944-0.
- ^ Bibek Debroy. The Mahabharata, 10 Volumes by B. Debroy. p. 3686.