Poem - ' Lakshman' by Toru Dutt

 Lakshman Poem by Toru Dutt

Thinking Activity :-

 Welcome readers! This blog is written in response to the task given by Megha Ma'am -  Department of English, MKBU. This blog is a part of our thinking activity. In this blog, I will discuss some questions related to the Poem "Laxman" written by Toru Dutt. First, Let us discuss about the Poet. 

 □ Toru Dutt :- 

  Toru Dutt (In Bengali :-  তরু দত্ত;  1856 – 1877) was an Indian Bengali translator and poet from British India, who wrote in English and French languages. She is among the founding figures of Indo - Anglian literature. She is known for her volumes of poetry in English, Sita, A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields (1876) and Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan (1882), and for a novel in French, Le Journal de Mademoiselle d'Arvers (1879). Her poems explore themes of loneliness, longing, patriotism and nostalgia. 

  

  Toru Dutt was the Youngest of three children, following Sister Aru and brother Abju. She and he siblings spent the majority of their Youth in Calcutta.  Toru Dutt was an innate linguist. In her brief life, she learned the languages - Bengali , English , French and Subsequently Sanskrit. She left behind a Substantial body of Poetry and literature.  The Only work that was published during Toru’s lifetime was a Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields (1876). This was a Collection of English translations of French poetry that Toru had begun with her elder sister, and was Published by the Saptahik Sambad Press in Calcutta without any preface or introduction. Toru had read Edmund Gosse’s appreciative review of the book in The Examiner of August 1876, but did not live to see the second expanded edition her father Published in 1878 along with a memoir of her, or the illustrious third edition of nearly 200 Poems.

 Toru Dutt also left her only English Novel, Bianaca , Or the Young Spanish Maiden, Unfinished. Bianca was later Published Serially in The Bengal Magazine from January to April 1878. Toru Dutt's french novel , Le Journal de Mademoiselle d'Arvers , was Posthumously Published in France in 1879 with an Introduction by Clarisse Bader. Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan , Comprising Toru’s Original Poems , Poetic transcreations and adaptations from Sanskrit literature and Bengali tales was Published Posthumously by Messrs Kegan Paul in London in 1882 with an Introductory memoir by Edmund Gosse on Toru Dutt's life and works. 

 Toru Dutt died of tuberculosis , at the age of 21 on 30th August , 1877 in Kolkata. 

     □ Major Works :- 

Some of her Major Works include ; 

 1. " A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields" (1876)

 2.  " Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan  (1882)

3. " Le Journal de Mademoiselle d'Arvers" (1879)

4. " Our Casuarian Tree " 

5.  " Lotus " 

6.  " Lakshman " 

7.  " My Vocation " 

 8. " The Broken Bell " 

 Toru Dutt's writing reflects her multicultural background and her ability to write in multiple languages. Her Works making her a notable Figure in 19th Century Literature. 

   □ Writing Style :- 

    As a master of Verse Toru always rises to the Occasion.  Besides , her management of the Versification is adorit enough - the 4 - lines ballad Stanza , the 8 - line octosyllabic Stanza, blank verse , Toru is reasonably at home in them all. She has shown the remarkable mastery of the Sonnet Form. There are nearly Forty Sonnets in the Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields and two in Ancient Ballads. Toru Dutt is known for her elegant and lyrical Writing Style.

   Her Works often Combine elements of both western and Indian literary traditions, reflecting her multicultural upbringing and influences. She is Particularly Celebrated for her use of Vivid Imagery, metaphors and allusions to Hindu mythology and Culture. Toru Dutt's Poetry Often explores the theme of nature , Love , Spirituality and the Clash of Cultures.

  Her Writing is Characterized by its rich language, evocative descriptions and a sense of nostalgia for her native India, even as she was Influenced by European Romanticism and Victorian literature. 

 

  

  □ Laxman Poem :-

  

  The Poem Laxman is from Toru Dutt's 'Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan ' (1882). It tells a story from the Hindu Epic Ramayana in which the hero Rama is told to Procure a golden deer for his Wife Sita. After Rama Leaves Sita with his brother , Laxman for Safekeeping , he finds out that the deer is actually a demon and kills it. However, when the demon dies , it calls out for help using Rama's Own Voice. Though Lakshman knows Rama is invincible and does not Worry , Sita Panics at the sound of the Cry for help and asks Laxman to go and investigate.  Laxman draws a line in the ground that Sita is not to cross while he leaves to search for Rama. While he is absent , however Sita crosses the line and is abducted by the demon king Ravena. 

 The Poem takes this Story from the Ramayana and Opens up the discussion between Sita and Laxman , expanding it beyond what is Present in the epic. Still, much of the Core elements of their dialogue are Preserved from the Epic. The Poem begins with the anxiety of Sita ; 

   " Hark !  Lakshman Hark, again that Cry ! 

 It  is, - It is  my husband's Voice ! 

Oh hasten , to  his Succor Fly, 

No more hast thou, dear friend a Choice . "  (Stanza 1).  

 This kind of Words from Sita expresses her heightened anxiety as a woman who is scared that her husband is in danger.  This Stanza sets the tone of the Poem. The identity of the woman being very frail and Fragile is thus created not only in the mythology but also in this Poem. In Other words Toru Dutt has reconstructed the Same Sita appearing in the mythology and Focused on her Speech. 

 Future in the Poem , Lakshman logically tries to assure the safety of Ram to Sita by Saying that ; 

    "Oh Calm thyself , Videhan queen, 

    No cause is there for any fear ,

Hast thou his Prowess never seen?" (Stanza 4)

  And a little later in the Poem , Lakshman gives the examples of Ram's emphatic and Strong presence. 

                    "The lion and the grisly bear

Cower when they see his royal look,

Sun-staring eagles of the air

His glance of anger cannot brook,

Pythons and cobras at his tread

To their most secret coverts glide,

Bowed to the dust each serpent head

Erect before in hooded pride."  (Stanza 5).

  Through this Stanza we can understand that Laxman's Convincing segment to Sita is full of strong and Ferocious animals like lion, bear, Pythons and Cobras. He does a Comparison which established based on Ram's Potential to fight back. Such images came in our mind like Strength and Fearless attitude of Lord Rama. But all this assurance gets objected with the Sentiments of Wife. When Sita does not get Convinced by Lakshman about the safety of her husband. She fails to send Lakshman out for Rama her anxiety changes to doubt which gets expressed through the allegations on Laxman. 

   

   " "He perishes — well, let him die!

His wife henceforth shall be mine own!

Can that thought deep imbedded lie

Within thy heart's most secret zone! 

(Stanza 11)

  

   Sita Imagines herself to be an Object which can be Possessed by Lakshman. In Toru Dutt's Poem Lakshman Sita accuses Lakshman for his delay in going out to Save Lord Rama. Sita's mind Changes and She accuses Lakshman by telling that he wanted to marry his brother's wife. 

 Sita's character in the Poem Lakshman may not be Strictly in keeping with her portrayal in the Ramayana but it is in accordance with human nature , and shows the Working of a Woman's mind. In this Poem she does not appear as an idealized queen , but as a woman who behaves as a woman in her Condition Ought to be.  She acts impulsively and easily falls in the trap laid down for her by Ravena , the tricky and mighty king of Lanka. The Charges and allegations Sita levels against Lakshman are humiliating and degrading. Nevertheless, Lakshman stands noble and Sublime. Lakshman's character shines all the more brightly in the face of Sita's accusations against him.  Perhaps, this is what has made Toru Dutt to title the Poem  " Lakshman" than titling " Sita" though she Plays the role of a Protagonist in the Poem.

 Question 1 :- Write a Critical note on Lakshman Poem by Toru Dutt. 

 

 Answer :-   ' Lakshman' by Toru Dutt is a poem on a Hindu mythological theme. The subject matter of the poem is taken from the ‘Ramayana’, a Sanskrit epic by Valmiki. Lakshman was a younger brother of Sri Ramchandra. Once Ramchandra with his beloved wife, Sita, had to go to exile after his father’s will. With Ram and Sita, Lakshman also went to exile. Sita was chaste, pious and very beautiful. Ravana, the king of Lanka, had heard of Sita’s qualities and hence he desired to carry her off. While Ram, Sita and Lakshman were in exile, Ravana took the avail of it and by his magic power, he created a golden deer. To please Sita, her husband Ram pursued the deer leaving Sita and Lakshman in the bower. Then at distance, Sita heard a voice as same as that of Ram seeking help. Really the voice was not of Ram but of Ravana. Ravana made a plan to drive Lakshman away of the bower so that he can carry Sita off. Sita, hearing the calling of Ravana to be Ram’s, asked Lakshman to go to help Ram. First Lakshman did not want to leave the bower leaving Sita alone. But Sita persistently persuaded Lakshman to leave the bower in order to rescue Ram. The poet Toru Dutt has given a very poetic as well as a dramatic description of Sita’s persuasion to Lakshman. The poem bears the stamp of how much devotion and love Sita had for her husband.

Hearing the voice like that of Ram, Sita says to Lakshman and calls him to go to succour Ram without making any delay. She thinks that perhaps her husband is surrounded by foes, so Lakshman should go there quickly with his sword and bow. But Lakshman seemed not to heed Sita’s order. Then Sita, being angry, wanted to go alone. Seeing Sita’s agitation and anxiety, Lakshman says to Sita that there is no cause to fear because Ram is strong and brave enough to fight an enemy. He then gives a poetic account of Ram’s prowess and says that the lion and bear shrink back in fear when they see his royal look. The anger of Ram none can endure, Even sun-staring eagles drop-down at Ram’s look. Pythons and cobras, at Ram’s tread, glide to their secret holes.

Lakshman anticipated the wailing cry for help is not of Ram but of an enemy uttered to delude them. So Sita should not beseech Lakshman to go out in search of Ram leaving Sita alone. Instead, he made Sita remind her that he had been commanded by Ram to remain with Sita as a guard as there might have some giant foes in the forest to harm her. But Lakshman's persuasion could not calm Sita of her anxiety. Instead, she argued and says that ;

      Search well and see! One brother takes

His kingdom— one would take his wife

A fair partitional— but it makes

Me shudder and abhor my life.”

  At last , Sita’s allegations towards Lakshman he tracing a magic circle in front of the door, and Ordering her not to cross the Circle, goes to help Lord Rama. After Lakshman 's departure Ravena came to the bower and Carried off Sita to Lanka. 

The poem shows Sita’s devotion and love to her husband; but Sita herself is responsible for being carried away by Ravana, the king of Lanka. Besides this Lakshman's wisdom is also presented in the the Poem and We can also see that how Sita Puts blame and allegations towards Lakshman but still he stands as Nobel and Loyal. He knows that he has a mission in life - that of serving his brother.

● Conclusion :- To Conclude , Toru Dutt's Poem Lakshman tells the tragic tale of Lakshman , Lord Rama's loyal brother. Through Vivid Imagery and emotional depth , Dutt explores themes of duty, sacrifice and Complexities of familial love. This Poem is a long narrative one, Consisting total twenty - two Stanzas.

[ Total Words :- 2,029 ]

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