Introduction
Shatrughna is the son of Dasharatha and Sumitra, and the twin brother of Lakshmana. His name means "destroyer of enemies". He was closest to his brother Bharata, and he is known for defeating the Rakshasa Lavana.
This article primarily follows the Valmiki Ramayana. Where a well-known detail comes from a later retelling or tradition, the article identifies it.
Family
- Father: Dasharatha
- Mother: Sumitra
- Wife: Shrutakirti
- Siblings: Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, Shanta (by tradition)
- Sons: Subahu (son of Shatrughna), Shatrughati
With Bharata
While Lakshmana was devoted to Rama, Shatrughna stayed with Bharata. He went with Bharata to the court of Kekaya, and he was there when Rama was sent into exile. When Bharata returned to Ayodhya, Shatrughna was furious with Manthara and dragged her by the hair, until Bharata stopped him.
The defeat of Lavana
After Rama was crowned, the sages of the Yamuna asked for protection against Lavana, a Rakshasa who terrorised them from his city of Madhupuri, aided by a powerful spear given by Shiva. Rama sent Shatrughna. Rama gave him an arrow made by Vishnu and told him to attack when Lavana was away from his spear. Shatrughna waited until Lavana had left the spear at home, attacked him, and killed him with that arrow.
Founding Mathura
Shatrughna then took over the region and turned Madhupuri into the city of Mathura, which he ruled for twelve years. He is said to have had two sons, Subahu and Shatrughati.
Rama's departure
When Rama decided to leave the world, Shatrughna returned to Ayodhya and, after installing his sons, joined him.
In tradition
In some traditions, Shatrughna is regarded as a portion of Vishnu's conch, the Panchajanya. This is a theological interpretation and not a statement in Valmiki.