"diinhi mohi sikh niiki gasac (n)yi
laagi agam apni kadaraaii
narvar dhiir dharam-dhur-dhaari
nigam-niitike te adhikaari.
mai (n) sisu prabhu-saneh-pratipaalaa
mandar-meru ki lehi (n) maraalaa" 

Lakshmana says, "How can the swan sustain the weight of Mount Meru? Till this moment, Rama, I have grown up nourished by your love. All this statesmanship, you can preach to some one else. I am only a child," and so puts a stop to the discussion.

20. Just as fish cannot live without water, Lakshmana could not live without Rama. He had not the strength for it. With all his being he lived in and for Rama. When Rama slept, he found joy in keeping awake and serving him. 

When the eye is threatened the hand rushes up to protect it, and takes the blow upon itself, in this way, Lakshmana had become the hand or Rama. If there was a blow aimed at Rama, Lakshmana received it first. Tulsidas illustrates this by a beautiful simile. The flag flies high and is greeted with songs of honor and praise. Its colors and form are the subject of song and story. But who looks at the staff that stands straight and holds it?

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