Shatrughna
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Shatrughan (Sanskrit: शत्रुघ्न, ṣatrughna), in Hindu epic Ramayana was the youngest brother of Lord Rama. He is the twin brother of Lakshmana.
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[edit] Birth and Family
He and Lakshmana were the sons of King Dasaratha of Ayodhya by his third wife Sumitra. His name in Sanskrit means the destroyer of enemies. Although the Ramayana describes all four brothers as loving and devoted to one another, Shatrughna is closer to Bharata as Lakshmana is closer to Rama. Shatrughna marries Shrutakirti, a cousin of Sita.
[edit] Rama's Exile
When Rama is exiled, Shatrughna drags Kaikeyi's maid Manthara, who was responsible for poisoning the queen's mind against Rama, and makes an attack to kill her, but is restrained by Bharata, who feels that Rama would not approve such an act.
When Bharata grudgingly agrees to rule Ayodhya until Rama's return, Shatrughna is instructed by Rama and Lakshmana to support and serve him there.
[edit] The slaying of Lavanasura
Although he plays a relatively minor role in the Ramayana, Shatrughna is important to the main story and goal of the epic. His chief exploit was the killing of Lavanasura, the demon King of Mathura, who was a nephew of Ravana, the King of Lanka who was slain by Rama.
Lavanasura was the son of Madhu, the pious demon-king after whom the city of Mathura was named. Madhu's wife and Lavanusara's mother was Kumbhini, a sister of Ravana. Lavanasura was the holder of the divine Trishula (Trident) of Lord Shiva, and nobody was able to kill him or prevent him from committing sinful activities.
Shatrughna begged Rama and his elder brothers to allow him the opportunity to serve them by killing Lavnasura. Shatrughna killed the great demon with an arrow imbibed with the power of Vishnu.
[edit] Retirement
After Rama, the seventh Avatara of Vishnu completes 10,000 years of perfectly pious rule upon earth, he walks into the river Sarayu to return to his true and eternal Mahavishnu form. Bharata and Shatrughna follow him into the river, and merge into Mahavishnu.
[edit] Temple
The Shatrughna Temple is located at Payammal in Thrissur District of Kerala in India.
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