Shatrughna

Shatrughna, in Hindu tradition, is a prince of Ayodhya and a son of Dasharatha and Sumitra. He is the younger brother of Rama and Bharata, and is commonly regarded as the twin of Lakshmana. He belongs to the Ikshvaku dynasty, and his life is primarily mentioned in the Ramayana and later Puranic accounts. The name Shatrughna means “slayer of enemies.”

In the Ramayana, Shatrughna is depicted as loyal and dutiful, with a role that is smaller in scope compared to Rama and Lakshmana. Accounts differ on his exact movements during Rama’s exile: some traditions place him with Rama and Lakshmana in the forest for portions of the exile, while others have him remaining in Ayodhya to assist Bharata in governance and to safeguard the throne. In certain regional tellings, he is credited with killing Lavanasura, the demon king of Mathura, an act framed as supporting Rama’s cause.

Shatrughna’s wife is named Shrutakirti in several texts, and he is described as a capable administrator and warrior. The details of his later life vary across scriptures, and he is generally regarded as a loyal but less prominent member of Rama’s circle, whose actions reinforce themes of fraternal support and duty.

In literature and later retellings, Shatrughna is often seen as an exemplar of steadfastness and devotion within the Ramayana’s broader narrative. He appears in various versions and adaptations of the Ramayana across India and Southeast Asia, where his character is used to illustrate loyalty and the bonds among brothers.