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Toru Dutt's Laxman
Toru Dutt's Laxman
o Grisly
o Cower
o Sun-staring eagles
o Cannot brook,
o Pythons and cobras – Types of dangerous snakes
o At his tread – At the sound of his footsteps
o To their most secret coverts glide –
o Bowed to the dust each serpent head
o Erect before in hooded pride.
Question
1. How does Lakshman convince Sita of Ram’s unequal power that frightens the wild?
“Rakshasas, Danavs, demons, ghosts,
Acknowledge in their hearts his might,
And slink to their remotest coasts,
In terror at his very sight.
Evil to him! Oh fear it not,
Whatever foes against him rise!
Banish for aye the foolish thought,
And be thyself, — bold, great, and wise.
Meaning
o Rakshasas and Danavs – Mythical creatures in Indian epics.
o Acknowledge – Respect
o Slink
o Remotest – Farthest
o Evil to Him – (A wish) to harm someone
o Foes – Enemies
o Banish – Exile; send someone out of his country as a punishment; keep out
“He call for help! Canst thou believe
He like a child would shriek for aid
Or pray for respite or reprieve —
Not of such metal is he made!
Delusive was that piercing cry, —
Some trick of magic by the foe;
He has a work, — he cannot die,
Beseech me not from hence to go.
Meaning
o “He call for help! – “You said Ram is calling for help!”
o Canst thou believe – (How) Can you believe?
o Shriek – Cry
o Aid – Help
o Respite – A short period of rest; relax
o Reprieve – Cancel or postpone one’s punishment
o Not of such metal is he made – Ram is not a weak man.
o Delusive was that piercing cry – The cry that we have heard was just a trick
o He has a work – Ram has come to the earth to do a work (Kill Ravan)
o Beseech – Beg; request
o Beseech me not from hence to go – Therefore, do not ask me to go for his help
For here beside thee, as a guard
‘Twas he commanded me to stay,
And dangers with my life to ward
If they should come across thy way.
Send me not hence, for in this wood
Bands scattered of the giants lurk,
Who on their wrongs and vengeance brood,
And wait the hour their will to work.”
Meaning
o Ward – Protect
o And dangers with my life to ward if they should come across thy way.
Questions
1. What reasons does Lakshman give to Sita for his staying with her? (80 words)
Lakshman has a number of reasons for staying with Sita. In the first place…
2. What are the giants lurking and brooding for?
Giants are lurking and brooding over taking their revenge against Ram, Sita and Lakshman.
They are revengeful because ….
“Oh shame! and canst thou make my weal
A plea for lingering! Now I know
What thou art, Lakshman! And I feel
Far better were an open foe.
Art thou a coward? I have seen
Thy bearing in the battle-fray
Where flew the death-fraught arrows keen,
Else had I judged thee so today.
Meaning
o Weal – Happiness; prosperity; well-being; a red, swollen mark left on flesh by a blow or
pressure.
o And canst thou make my weal a plea for lingering – How can you stay here saying that you
stay here for my well-being?
o And I feel far better were an open foe.
o Bearing – a soldier’s way of standing or moving in the battle-field.
o Art thou a coward?
o I have seen
o Thy bearing in the battle-fray
o Where flew the death-fraught arrows keen,
o Else had I judged thee so today.
“But then thy leader stood beside!
Dazzles the cloud when shines the sun,
Reft of his radiance, see it glide
A shapeless mass of vapours dun;
So of thy courage, — or if not,
The matter is far darker dyed,
What makes thee loth to leave this spot?
Is there a motive thou wouldst hide?
Meaning
o “He perishes — well, let him die! – You think that it is good Ram died!
o His wife henceforth shall be mine own! – Then his wife will be mine!
o Can that thought deep imbedded lie within thy heart’s most secret zone!
o Search well and see! – Think deeply and find the answer
o One brother takes his kingdom – Ram’s brother Bharat was made the king
o One would take his wife! – And Lakshman would marry Sita!
o A fair partition! – This is how you divided all that Ram had!
o But it makes me shudder –
o Abhor – Hate; loathe
o And abhor my life –
“Art thou in secret league with those
Who from his hope the kingdom rent?
A spy from his ignoble foes
To track him in his banishment?
And wouldst thou at his death rejoice?
I know thou wouldst, or sure ere now
When first thou heardst that well known voice
Thou shouldst have run to aid, I trow.
Meaning
o Therein – In them
o Ceased – Stopped
o Ere I depart – Before I go
o Lacerate – Cut deep into flesh
“Have I deserved this at thine hand?
Of lifelong loyalty and truth
Is this the meed? I understand
Thy feelings, Sita, and in sooth
I blame thee not, — but thou mightst be
Less rash in judgement, Look! I go,
Little I care what comes to me
Wert thou but safe, — God keep thee so!
Meaning
Meaning
Meaning
o Forgiving
o Straight his weapons took
His bow and arrows pointed keen,
Kind, — nay, indulgent, — was his look,
No trace of anger, there was seen,
Only a sorrow dark, that seemed
To deepen his resolve to dare
All dangers. Hoarse the vulture screamed,
As out he strode with
o Dauntless – fearless, determined, resolute, indomitable, intrepid, doughty, plucky, spirited,
game, mettlesome, gritty, steely, confident, undaunted, undismayed, unalarmed,
unflinching, unshrinking, unabashed, unfaltering, unflagging, bold, audacious, valiant,
brave, stout-hearted, lionhearted, gallant, courageous, heroic, daring, daredevil;