Lakshman
(Summary & Analysis)
Toru Dutt was a poetess of a poet family. Her
sister Aru Dutt was also a poetess. Her father and mother also wrote verses in
English as well as in Bengali.
The
themes of Toru Dutt were Indian themes. In most of the poems she sings of
Indian heroes and heroines. In the poem Lakshman
she narrates the story of Sita and Lakshman. Her main aim is to portray the
inner character of Lakshman and Sita. In other words, he portrays the emotions
of both the characters in a pictorial situation.
The
poem is based on an Indian myth, ‘Ramayana’. Sita hears the cry of ‘Marich’
which she thinks of her husband, Ram and asks Lakshman to go and help Ram. She
feels, that some evil has fallen on her husband but when Lakshman does not
listen to her, she becomes angry. She cannot tolerate the uncertainty. Lakshman
does not hear Sita because he knows that no harm can ever come to Ram. He knows,
that the lion, bear, python and cobras cannot harm Ram. He knows very well that
the cry of Ram, which Sita hears is a deceptive one but Sita insists him to go
for his rescue. Lakshman pleads her that his duty is to protect her from all
dangers. Sita uses harsh and bitter words and says that Bharat wants to take
Ram’s kingdom and Lakshman his wife Sita.
When
Lakshman hears such words he has no option but to leave the place but before
leaving Sita, he draws a magic circle (Lakshman rekha) around Sita and asks her
not to cross that line till they (Lakshman and Ram) return hand in hand.
Lakshman invokes all the Gods to take care of Sita and to protect her from all
dangers. Finally, he leaves Sita behind with fear in his heart for her.
Toru
Dutt was much influenced by the puritans and this is seen in the abrupt opening
of the poem. Each line of the poem is of eight syllables. The rhyming scheme in
this poem is alternate one.
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