ORIENTAL SERIES.

LA GHU-KA UMUDlLAKSHMANA. 175
LAGrHU-KAUMUDL A modern and very much simplified
edition of Pawini's Grammar by Yarada Eaja. It has "been edited
and translated by Dr. Ballantyne.
LAKSHMAZVA i. Son of King Dasa-ratha by his wife Su-
mitra. He was the twin brother of $atru-ghna, and the half-
brother and especial friend of Eama-chandra. Under the pecu-
liar circumstances of his birth, one-eighth part of the divinity
of Vishnu became manifest in "hrm. (See Dasa-ratha.) But
according to the Adhyatma EamayaTia, he was an incarnation of
Sesha. When Eama left his father's court to go to the hermi-
tage of Viswamitra, Lakshmawa accompanied him, and afterwards
attended him in his exile and in all his wanderings. He
was also very attached to Eama's wife Sita, which gave rise to
the reproach that the two brothers were husbands of one wife.
On one occasion, indeed, Sita reproached Lakshmana that he
did not hasten to rescue Eama from danger, because he wished
to obtain herself. His own wife was tTrmila, the sister of Sita,
and he had two sons, Angada and Chandra-ketu, While Eama
and Lakshma?ia were living in the wilderness, a Eakshasi
named $urpa-nakha, sister of Eavam, fell in love with Eama
and made advances to him. He jestingly referred her to Laksh-
mawa, who in like manner sent her back to Eama. When she
tfas again repulsed she attacked Sita, whom Eama was obliged
to defend Eama then called upon Lakshmana to disfigure the
Eakshasi, and accordingly he cut off her nose and ears. The
mutilated female called upon her brother to avenge her, and
a fierce war ensued When Sita was carried off by Eavawa,
Lakshmaraa accompanied Eama in his search, and he ably and
bravely supported him in his war against Eavana. Rama's
earthly career was drawing to a close, and Time was sent to
inform him that he must elect whether to stay longer on earth,
or to return to the place from whence he had come. While
they were in conference, the irascible sage Dur-vasas came and
demanded to see Eama instantly, threatening him with the
most direful curses if any delay were allowed to occur. To save
his brother Eama from the threatened curse, but aware of the
consequences that would ensue to himself from breaking in upon
Eama's interview with Time, he went in and brought Eama out
Lakshmana knowing his fate, retired to the river $arayii and
resigned himself. The gods then showered down flowers upon