Rekha

The Lakshmana Rekha is not depicted in Valmiki’s Ramayana. Valmiki does not mention the existence of any line known as a Lakshmana Rekha. The episode on Sita’s abduction is contained in the Aranya Kanda. In chapter 45 of the book, the scene of Lakshmana, moving away from the hut, after folding his hands before Sita. He couldn’t bear her harsh criticism regarding not going to support Rama, who went out alone in the forest to fetch the golden deer for Sita. Lakshmana was reluctant to leave Sita alone, but he had to, when he saw Sita very tensed. The verses in chapter 45 and sarga 29 show that Lakshmana just moved away from Sita, with his hands folded. There was no verse depicting the presence of any kind of line. Tulsidas in Ramcharitmanas introduced the popular story of the Lakshmana Rekha, which was a perimeter drawn by Lakshmana around the hut, inside which any being or wild animal from outside would be destroyed. He drew this line to ensure Sita’s absolute protection within it. This story of the Lakshmana Rekha is really popular, and people still use it as a metaphor to signify situations where in a line should be crossed under no circumstances.