Who Were the Children of Lakshmana and Bharata According to Valmiki Ramayana?

In the ancient Hindu epic Valmiki Ramayana, the brothers Rama and Lakshmana, along with their younger brother Bharata, are renowned for their roles in the grand narrative of exile, battle, and reunion. However, their legacy extends to their own offspring. This article explores the children of Lakshmana and Bharata, as described in the Uttarakanda and Uttara Kanda sections of Valmiki Ramayana.

Lakshmana's Sons

Lakshmana, the devoted and loyal brother of Lord Rama, had two sons according to Valmiki Ramayana: Angada and Chandraketu. These sons are mentioned in detail within the epic, particularly in the Uttarakanda.

Angada and Chandraketu are the principal sons of Lakshmana. It is explicitly stated in Chapter 7, Section-97 of Valmiki Ramayana by Bibek Debroy:

"Raghava addressed his brother in these extraordinary words. ‘O Soumitri! These two sons of yours, Angada and Chandraketu, are accomplished in dharma. They are firm in wielding bows and deserve kingdoms. I will consecrate them in virtuous and beautiful kingdoms that are appropriate without any obstructions. Let these two archers find pleasure there. They should not suffer from any other king there.'

This passage indicates that Rama (referred to as Raghava) was pleased with the prospect of his brother's sons receiving suitable kingdoms.

Besides Angada and Chandraketu, some folklore mentions a daughter of Angada named Somada. However, this is not a widely recognized character in the epic.

Bharata's Sons

Bharata, the younger brother of Rama, also had two sons, Taksha and Pushkal, as described in the Uttara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana.

Taksha and Pushkal are the sons of Bharata, according to the epic. When Rama speaks with Maharshi (a sage), he confirms the same:

"Hearing these words, Raghava was pleased with the maharshi and with his maternal uncle. He looked towards Bharata and spoke words of agreement. Delighted Raghava joined his hands in salutation before the brahmana and said, ‘O brahmana rishi! These two princes will conquer that country. Bharata has two brave sons, Taksha and Pushkala. They will attentively follow dharma and protect my maternal uncle well. Placing Bharata at the forefront, these two princes and their forces and followers will slay the sons of the gandharva and populate those two cities. The one who is extremely devoted to dharma will instate his two sons in those two excellent cities and again return to my presence.'"

This excerpt from the Uttara Kanda, Chapter 790, reinforces the significance of Bharata's sons, who are expected to fulfill their familial and protective duties.

Conclusion

The Valmiki Ramayana provides a rich narrative of the children of Lakshmana and Bharata. Angada and Chandraketu, as well as Taksha and Pushkal, are integral to the continuation and perpetuation of the legacy of these characters in the epic. Understanding the roles and backgrounds of these offspring enhances our comprehension of the larger narrative of the Ramayana.

For those interested in the detailed accounts of Lakshmana and Bharata's children according to Valmiki Ramayana, further reading of the epic's Uttarakanda and Uttara Kanda sections is highly recommended.

Keywords: Lakshmana sons, Bharata sons, Valmiki Ramayana