Lakshman, younger half-brother to Rama, was born to King Dasharatha of Ayodhya and Queen Sumitra. Twin to Shatrughna, Lakshman forged an inseparable bond with Rama from birth, viewing him as his primary allegiance and guide. As an incarnation of Shesha, the divine serpent supporting Vishnu, Lakshman's divine purpose centered on being Rama's eternal companion and protector. He married Urmila, Sita's younger sister, after Rama won Sita's hand. When Lakshman accompanied Rama and Sita into fourteen years of exile, Urmila remained in Ayodhya, undertaking the profound sacrifice known as Urmila Nidra. She slept continuously so Lakshman could remain ever-vigilant, guarding Rama and Sita without fatigue. Forsaking royal comforts, Lakshman served as their primary protector in the forest, constructing their hut in Panchavati and maintaining constant vigilance. His fierce loyalty manifested when he severed the nose of Ravana's sister, Surpanakha, after she attempted to seduce Rama and attacked Sita—an act that triggered Ravana's retaliation and Sita's abduction. To ensure Sita's security, Lakshman drew the protective boundary line, Lakshmana Rekha, instructing her not to cross it. Despite Sita's subsequent breach and capture, the act symbolized his commitment. Following her abduction, Lakshman supported Rama in the search, providing strategic acumen and emotional resilience. He counseled Rama against despair, urging perseverance and rationality, acting as a stabilizing force. During the war against Ravana in Lanka, Lakshman proved a formidable warrior. He played a pivotal role, most notably slaying Ravana's powerful son, Indrajit (Meghanada), using the Aindrastra weapon after invoking Rama's righteousness—a critical blow to the enemy. Lakshman sustained near-fatal injuries in this battle, requiring Hanuman to retrieve the life-restoring Sanjeevani herb. His recovery and return underscored his resilience and vital role in Rama's victory. Lakshman's character blended fierce loyalty with occasional impulsiveness. He advocated fiercely for decisive action, such as threatening Sugriva for delaying aid to Rama, yet consistently yielded to Rama's wisdom. He treated Sita with profound respect and deference as a mother figure. His bond with Hanuman, rooted in shared devotion to Rama, facilitated crucial wartime collaboration. After the exile and war, Lakshman continued serving Rama dutifully. He reluctantly escorted Sita to the forest near Valmiki's ashram when Rama bowed to public doubt about her chastity, adhering to duty over personal sentiment. Ultimately, Lakshman met his end by voluntarily drowning in the Sarayu river to honor a promise of Rama: he interrupted Rama's confidential meeting with the death-sentence deity Yama to appease the sage Durvasa, choosing self-sacrifice to avert the sage's curse on Ayodhya. The gods then escorted him alive to heaven, affirming his divine status.