Shatrughna

Shatrughna (Sanskrit: शत्रुघ्न "IAST|Śatrughna", Malay: "Satrugna", Thai: "Phra Satrut") was the youngest brother of Lord Rama in the Hindu epic "Ramayana" . He is the twin brother of Lakshmana.

Birth and Family

He and Lakshmana were the sons of King Daśaratha of Ayodhyā by his third wife Sumitrā. His name in Sanskrit means "the destroyer of enemies". Although the "Rāmāyaṇa" describes all four brothers as loving and devoted to one another, Shatrughna is closer to Bharata, just as Lakshmana is closer to Rāma. Shatrughna marries Shrutakīrti, a cousin of Sītā.

Rama's Exile

When Rama is exiled, Shatrughna drags Kaikeyī's maid Mantharā, who was responsible for poisoning the queen's mind against Rāma, and makes an attack to kill her, but he is restrained by Bharata, who feels that Rāma would not approve such an act.

When Bharata grudgingly agrees to rule Ayodhyā until Rāma's return, Shatrughna is instructed by Rāma and Lakshmana to support and serve him there.

The slaying of Lavanasura

Although he plays a relatively minor role in the "Rāmāyaṇa", 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.

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.

Temple

The Shatrughna Temple is located at Payammal in Thrissur District of Kerala in India.