Monday Motivation From Scriptures (MMFS-24): The Becoming of a True Brother

Hi,
A brother is a god’s gift to anyone and everyone. He is a sibling who has a sense of belonging to you. He loves you. He is your first friend who is there for you in need and also always. The relationship between Rama and Lakshmana is a fine example of a true brotherhood. 

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The Becoming of a True Brother

The preparations were in full swing to crown the prince Rama as the king of Ayodhya. However, his stepmother Kaikeyi had other plans. She wanted her son Bharata to be crowned as a King instead. And she reminded her husband king Dasaratha the promises he had earlier made to her and demanded what she wanted.

Accordingly in order to fulfil the promises of his father, Rama agreed to leave the kingdom to go and live in the forest for 14 years. But Lakshmana also wanted to leave the kingdom and go along with his brother Rama to live in the forest, though it was not a part of Kaikeyi’s wish. As they were about to leave, Lakshmana went to his mother Sumitra, touched her feet, and sought her blessings. She took him into her hands and told him, “My dear son, from this day onward, Rama is the father for you. Your sister-in-law Sita is the mother for you. The forest itself is your Ayodhya. Live there happily. Take good care of your brother Rama without any negligence.

And, he left the kingdom and all the riches and pleasures of it to go and live with his brother Rama in the forest for the next 14 years.

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What a brother Lakshmana is! What a mother Sumitra is! How great the words of a mother she spoke are! How nice if every brother treats his elder brother like his father and his sister-in-law like his mother! Also, how sweet it is when the elder feels himself as a parent and treats his younger brother like a son! And that is the becoming of a true brother. Let there be true brotherhood in every home.    

With love and regards,

Siva