'the one endowed with auspicious signs', IAST: Lakṣmaṇa), also known as Laxmana, Lakhan, Saumitra, and Ramanuja, is the younger brother of Rama in the Hindu epic Ramayana.

[8] In the Puranas, Lakshmana is described as an incarnation of Shesha,[9] the multiple-headed naga (serpent) upon whom rests the preserver deity Vishnu, whose avatar Rama is considered to be.

[10][11] When sage Vishvamitra asked Rama to kill the demons in the forest, Lakshmana accompanied them and went to Mithila with them.

King Dasharatha arrived in Mithila for his son's wedding and noticed that Lakshmana had feelings for Urmila, but according to tradition, Bharata and Mandavi were to marry first.

When Rama obliged him with success, Parashurama acknowledged the former to be a form of Vishnu and departed to perform penance at the mountain Mahendra.

Lakshmana cut off Ravana's sister Surpanakha's nose in anger when she tried to seduce Rama and insulted Sita.

Sita, however, out of compulsion of religious duty and compassion for Ravana, who was disguised as a poor Brahmin, crossed the line to give him alms, following which she was abducted.

Rama had offered to make Lakshmana the crown prince, but he refused, saying Bharata was elder to him and more deserving of the title.

"[29] Lakshmana was the one who left Sita in the forests near sage Valmiki's ashram after she expressed her desire to leave the kingdom.

Before the conversation began, Yama gave Rama strict instructions that their dialogue was to remain confidential, and anyone who entered the room was to be relieved of their life.

The sage grew angry and threatened to curse all of Ayodhya if Lakshmana did not immediately inform Rama of his arrival.

[33] Lakshmana, in a dilemma, decided it would be better that he alone die to save all of Ayodhya from falling under Durvasa's curse and so interrupted Rama's meeting to inform him of the sage's arrival.

[34] Lakshmana has been described in the Ramayana, as a man with unwavering loyalty, love and commitment to his elder brother, through times of joy and adversity alike.

[36] Military officers given the rank equivalent of admirals in navies in the Malay Archipelago, including Malaysia and Indonesia, are titled "Lakshmana" (Jawi script: لقسامان) after the figure.

The dialogue involves three prominent characters – Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Parashurama, each embodying unique virtues and qualities.

In this moment, Lord Rama confronts Parashurama with great wisdom, leading to the insightful dialogue that unfolds.

The conversation escalates as Parashurama, enraged by Lakshmana’s insolence, declares that his axe can destroy anyone who stands in his way.

Lakshmana, ever fearless, continues to challenge Parashurama, saying that true bravery is shown through actions, not words.

The sage’s pride, however, is not easily quelled, and he declares that he is sparing Lakshmana’s life only out of respect for Vishwamitra’s request.

The exchange reaches a turning point when Lord Rama steps in, calming the situation with his characteristic wisdom.

[40] According to Jain storytelling, Lakshmana had around sixteen thousand wives in which Prithvisundari was his principle consort (in the Hindu epic, he had only one wife Urmila).

According to the play, Vishwamitra invites Janaka to attend his sacrifice, but he sends his brother Kushadhvaja and daughters Sita and Urmila, as his delegates.

[46] Lakshmana's story and his devotion have inspired "painting, film, novels, poems, TV serials and plays".