In the Ramayana, Rama’s younger brother who accompanies him into exile is Lakshmana.
Lakshmana is one of the four sons of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya and is traditionally described as Rama’s especially devoted half-brother. When Rama is sent into the forest for fourteen years, Lakshmana chooses to leave royal life and accompany Rama and Sita. He serves them, protects their dwelling, and shares the hardships of exile.
Many Ramayana traditions present Lakshmana as an embodiment or incarnation of Shesha, the serpent associated with Vishnu. His loyalty is a central feature of the epic, although regional retellings differ in details and emphasis. The episode involving the “Lakshmana rekha,” or protective line, is famous in later popular retellings but is not found in every early version of the story.
Lakshmana is distinct from Bharata, who rules Ayodhya as Rama’s representative, and Shatrughna, the youngest brother.