Chapter
7 (c)
Winning Sita
It
was a pretty little new temple-like structure, situated
in the centre of a lovely garden; it was tastefully
decorated with greens and festoons. The place was heavy
with silence; it was as if peace fell in heavy showers
there from the wings of Grace from heaven itself. It was
quite adjacent to the Royal Palace. Therefore, after
showing them in, Janaka fell at the feet of the sage
again, saying: "Your arrival has added unto me
immeasurable strength and joy. I am sure this fortune
came to me as a result of the merit earned in many lives.
I shall now take leave. For the Yajna
to begin, there is an interval of twelve days, according
to the Rthwiks.
Please therefore stay on in this Mithila city itself and
bless me". Viswamitra assured him that he had no
objection to his proposal, and removed all apprehensions
on that score from the mind of Janaka. Rama and Lakshmana
looked at each other, as if that was too long a time to
be away!
Arrangements were made
to give them rest and undisturbed sleep that night;
milk, fruits and other articles were provided for them
from the palace. "I shall take your Darsan
at dawn tomorrow", said Janaka while leaving. "It is not
proper to delay your rest any longer, for you had a long
and tiresome journey". Janaka returned to the palace,
with the pundits, priests and scholars. Rama and
Lakshmana talked among themselves about the devotion and
humility of the Emperor, and the Light of Peace and joy
that shone on his face. They sat by the side of the
Master and partook of the fruits and milk. Then, they
departed after receiving permission, to their apartment
for rest.
That night, they slept
well. When daylight spread slowly over the City, the
music of pipe and drum rose from their doorstep. Brahmins
recited Vedic hymns. Rama and Lakshmana rose and finished
their bath and other rituals, and approached Viswamitra.
The sage gave them cups of milk to drink and said, "Sons!
Janaka will be here any time now. Take breakfast and be
ready". Soon, they as well as the younger pupils of the
Sage repaired to the apartments and partook of fruits and
milk. They washed their hands and quietly gathered around
their Preceptor, and reverentially sat near
him.
Meanwhile, it became
known that Emperor Janaka was arriving with the Royal
Preceptor in order to pay homage; for, the blowing of
conches and the play of the traditional nine instruments
heralded the approach of the ruler of the realm. Janaka
entered with the auspicious sandal paste and rice grains
in his hands, while Sathananda and the entourage entered
the sacred residence. With the delight of gratitude he
washed the feet of the Sage. Then, Janaka fell at the
feet of Viswamitra and stood by the side of the high seat
that had been placed in front of the pedestal for the
sage. As soon as Viswamitra directed him, Janaka occupied
his own seat. Rama and Lakshmana sat on the carpet laid
on the floor to the right of their Master. Janaka said,
"Great sage ! Now, what is your command? I am ready to
accept and honour it. Please communicate it to me".
Janaka folded his palms in prayer. At this, Viswamitra
smiled, and said, "Last night, since there was no time I
could not tell you in detail. I shall tell now about
these Princes, Rama and Lakshmana, since you desired to
hear their story. If you have no leisure now, I can tell
you some other time". Janaka exclaimed, "Master! what
more important work have I than experiencing the ecstasy
of conversing with you? This chance can be the fruit only
of age long austerity. I am filled with Ananda at the
expectation that you will tell me about them; I consider
it great good fortune."
Then, Viswamitra
narrated the incidents that had taken place from his
appearance at the court of Dasaratha up to the Yajna and
the heroic way in which the young boys had stood guard
and foiled the attempts of the demons to desecrate the
rituals. He described the bravery and skill of the boys
in their battle against the demons and praised their
achievements. During the narration, tears of joy and
gratitude welled from the sages eyes and he had to
frequently wipe them with the end of his
garment.
Hearing these words and
filling his eyes with his majesty and the charming
loveliness of the boys, Janaka experienced supreme
delight, the delight he often derived in Samadhi!
He felt that the boys were actual embodiments of Divine
Splendour. Though he often tried to look somewhere else,
his eyes thirsted only for the sight of those charming
lotuslike faces which showered Brahmic illumination!
Janaka suppressed with great difficulty the outward
expression of his inner ecstasy and sat looking intently
at them, in humility and reverence. He did not feel for a
moment that he was an Emperor and that those boys were
the Princes of another Imperial Monarch. He had an
indelible impression that they had come down from Heaven
to Earth; the feeling was strengthened and increased by
the description of their superhuman might and
skill. He realized that they were rare beings, akin to
God himself, for they achieved successfully, even before
reaching teenage, the guardianship of a Yajna, which the
renowned Viswamitra could not carry through unimpaired.
What a marvel! he wondered.
Then, the narrative was
resumed by the Sage with the start of the journey towards
Mithila. The stories related by the sage to the brothers
were also explained to Janaka. When the story of the
purification and liberation of Ahalya, the Consort of
Sage Gautama at the hermitage which was near the Capital
City, was related, Sathananda was surprised beyond
measure; he ejaculated, "What! Has my mother been freed
from the curse? Did these Divine personalities render my
mother holy, and restore her to my father? Ah! Without
doubt, they are Divine". While streams of tears of
gratitude and joy fell down his cheeks he became so
overcome with emotion that he was unable to move, like a
pillar. Viswamitra observed him and said, "Son! Do not be
so overwhelmed with the little events that have happened
so far! In the coming days, many events vastly more
amazing will happen; they will cause amazement and
ecstasy, by their superhuman glory. Your parents too will
arrive at Mithila City tomorrow or the day after. You can
hear the marvellous story of Rama and Lakshmana direct
from them. Calm yourself".
At this Emperor Janaka
said, "Master! How fortunate are the parents who have
such Divinely endowed sons! 0! how fortunate am I that
they stepped into my house, when the thought spurred
them". He turned to Rama and Lakshmana and addressed
them, "Darlings! Pardon me if the residence I have
arranged for you is not quite to your liking or quite in
keeping with your status. If you so desire, I am ever
ready to arrange a more appropriate accommodation. If you
like, I shall facilitate sightseeing in the
City for you are strangers to Mithila; ask for anything
you require, without reservation; I shall feel happy only
when you so ask". To these words spoken with exemplary
goodness and humility, Rama replied in a manner that
revealed the respect he liked to offer
Janaka.
He said "Maharaja ! We
are but boys. We do not feel anything wanting in the
arrangements made. We are quite happy. There is no need
to take trouble arranging somewhere else or something
more, for us. If however, you have such great affection
towards us, you can fulfill one wish that we have..." and
without mentioning what it was, he turned towards the
Preceptor, Viswamitra. The sage then spoke, "Janaka! The
mission on which these Princes came with me from Ayodhya
was over when the Yajna I had resolved upon was
accomplished without the least desecration. Rama and
Lakshmana pleaded for permission to return home.
Meanwhile, I received your invitation regarding the Yajna
you have decided upon; so, I asked these boys also to
accompany me to Mithila. Then, Rama pleaded that, since
his father had deputed him only for safeguarding the
Yajna at my Asram, he was reluctant to proceed further
and be away from his father longer than permitted. But, I
spoke to them of many divine weapons you have, objects,
which they are naturally eager to see and handle. I
described the Bow that you have here, the Siva Bow, which
deserves to be seen by them. I told them the story of
that Bow. Then they agreed to accompany me hither,
longing to see it. They have no yearning to go round the
City or visit interesting places; bows, arrows, weapons
which can guard the fight and punish the wicked - these
claim first consideration for their attention". Janaka
felt he had no need to hear more. He said, "In that case,
I shall make arrangements to have the Bow brought to the
Yajna Hall soon", and instructed that the preceptor,
Sathananda be consulted about an auspicious hour when it
could be brought there.
Meanwhile, Rama asked
Janaka, "Maharaja! If you can tell us how that Divine Bow
came into your possession, we can derive great joy."
Janaka gave the details with evident joy. "Darlings: Six
generations after Nimi, the great ancestor of my dynasty,
the King named Devaratha ruled over this kingdom. The
Gods placed this Bow of Lord Siva in trust in his palace.
It has been with us since then; it is a weapon of the
Gods and so, I assert it is no ordinary Bow! It weighs
some thousands of tonnes! No one has held it in the erect
position so far! For, who can lift that weight? Many
times in the past, I tried to discover who could bend the
Bow and use it or hold it for public gaze and invited
people to try. But I have yet to see one who could do it.
Every king and prince who attempted the feat failed and
returned humiliated. They could neither bend the Bow nor
even move it ever so slight.
One
day, when I was turning the sod on the grounds where I
had resolved to perform yajna, a vessel was revealed to
view, in the furrow. When I removed it and examined it, I
found in it a charming female child. Since the child came
to us from the furrow, (sita) we named
her Sita, and brought her up as our own child. One day,
when she was playing with her companions, her toy rolled
underneath the long box within which the Bow was kept;
the more they tried to recover the ball with the help of
various contrivances, the farther it rolled under the
box! But, our child, Sita laughed at the discomfiture of
her companions, and the palace guards. She pushed aside
the box with her tender hand and recovered her toy to the
astonishment of every one! I heard about this, through
the Queens who came to know of it from the wonderstruck
group around her at the time.
"That day, I resolved
to give Sita in marriage to one who proves himself worthy
to wed her, by stringing that Bow. Many a prince has
since tried to lift and bend that bow, in order to win
her, but all of them had to face ignominious defeat! They
felt hurt and insulted; they said I had purposely
humiliated them and in their resentment and despair, they
grouped together and fell upon Mithila City with their
combined forces. The siege lasted one full year. As a
consequence, all my armoury was exhausted and I was
concerned about the fate of the City. I had no other
recourse but austerity to win the grace of the Gods. The
Gods were pleased; they blessed me with additional
reinforcements of infantry, cavalry, elephantry and
chariotry. That is to say, help came to me from regions
behind the besieging forces and when they were attacked
from behind they were scattered. During these campaigns
of vindictiveness, I was able to preserve the Bow; I
guarded it like the apple of my eye. Its mysterious might
is beyond description.
"Rama! Ramachandra! I
shall not deny you the fulfillment of your wish; if you
but agree, the Bow shall be brought to the Yajna
enclosure. I shall also announce that any one who dare
lift and bend it can try to do so." When Janaka spoke so
authoritatively, Rama and Lakshmana looked at each other
but did not reply, for they were waiting for instructions
from the Master whom they had followed so far.
Just then, Viswamitra,
who knew the skill and strength of the brothers, said
that what Janaka proposed could be done, and that he need
not apprehend any obstacle coming his way. Janaka also
announced that he would give Sita in marriage to
whosoever lifted the bow and stringed it, for he had
vowed that Sita will be wedded only to such a one.
Viswamitra approved that procedure too.
Janaka took leave of
the sage and returned to the Palace. He set upon the task
of taking the bow into the Yajna Hall. A proclamation was
issued that the Bow will be exposed to view, and
communicated to as many kings and princes as possible.
The eight-wheeled vehicle containing the box with the Bow
was pulled and pushed into the enclosure by a large band
of hefty heavy-weights; but they could not even move it a
step. So, more men of gigantic mould had to be called in,
to lend their hands, dragging the heavy chains attached
to the vehicle and pushing it from behind. When at last
the Bow moved into the sacred enclosure, the priests
recited hymns of auspicious welcome.
Day dawned. The nine
traditional musical instruments raised a paean of harmony
that rose to the vaults of heaven. Conches were blown in
peals. The auspiciousness of the Day was declared through
song and ritual. Emperor Janaka entered the enclosure,
accompanied by a group of priests and with attendants
carrying materials for ceremonial worship of the Divine
Bow. Long before that moment, the enclosure was filled
with kings, princes, ministers, courtiers. sages and
Vedic scholars. As soon as Janaka came in, the entire
gathering stood up in order to render honour to the Ruler
of the Realm. The Vedic pundits declaimed aloud hymns
invoking the Gods to shower Grace; their voices rose up
to Heaven in exclamatory unison. Others recited passages
from the Vedas. All were so filled with expectancy that
they looked on in wonder, without even a wink.
Janaka walked in
reverence around the vehicle with the Bow, and offered
floral homage to it, while chants were recited to
propitiate it. He bowed before the Divine Bow, and then
turned to the distinguished assembly. He announced:
"Prostrations to the Sages! I welcome all who have come
to this assembly! Since many years, my forefathers as
well as many other monarchs have been, as you all know,
worshipping this Divine Bow. Besides, it is already well
known that no one, be he a God or Demon, Yaksha,
Rakshasa,
Garuda or Gandharva, Kinnara or Mahoraga, no one has so
far been able to lift the Bow, hold it and string it! All
who attempted have turned back, humiliated. In spite of
this, this day, I have again resolved to bring the Bow
into the sacred enclosure. Whoever among you assembled
here does lift this bow or lifting, strings it, or
stringing it, fixes an arrow on to it, or who can hold
the weight of the Bow in his hands can come forward and
take this chance; the Bow is before you". With these
words, Janaka bowed before the gathering with his
palms folded, and sat on the Lion Throne.
Viswamitra cast a
glance, with a smile, at Rama. Rama quickly approached
the vehicle and lifted up the iron cover with his left
arm. And with his right, he raised with no concern or
exertion, the Bow from its box! Holding the Bow erect he
looked around, while amazement was on every face! The
thousands who witnessed the wonder - citizens, kings and
princes, sages and elders - raised such an applause that
the sky echoed the exultation! Soon Rama stringed the
magnificent Bow! With delightful ease he fixed an arrow!
And he drew the string back up to the ear, in order to
release it. But the Bow snapped!
Everyone around was
shocked into confusion and fear by the strange,
unexpected explosion. Many fainted; some cried out in
terror; some fled in panic. The sages uttered prayers to
God. Why dilate further? The entire gathering, barring
Janaka, Viswamitra and the brothers, Rama and Lakshmana,
was plunged in inexplicable inconsolable
dread!
Meanwhile, Janaka rose
from his seat, fell prostrate before Viswamitra, and
said. "Master! There is no one on earth who can claim
greater strength than Rama; such strength is not of the
Earth. I shall fulfill my word; I shall give Sita in
marriage to him who lifted, bent and broke this
Bow."
Viswamitra replied,
"Janaka! It will be good if this news is communicated to
Emperor Dasaratha and the auspicious event
celebrated after he comes. This is my desire; Rama is
such a deeply dutiful son that he will not agree to the
marriage until Dasaratha gives his approval". So, Janaka
had the Brahmins of the court called to his presence,
along with some Ministers. He set them on the journey to
Ayodhya as soon as day dawned. They sped on in their
chariots, drawn by swift horses, for three days and
nights, and reached Ayodhya on the morning of the fourth
day. They halted the chariots right before the main
entrance of the Imperial Palace, so that there could be
no delay in taking the news they had brought to the
Emperor. When the guards inquired their names and the
purpose of their arrival, the Ministers required them to
announce to the Emperor the fact of their coming from
Mithila to see him. They informed Dasaratha immediately
and they were immediately called into the palace and the
Presence.
In spite of old age,
Dasaratha looked a Divinely splendrous figure, when the
Brahmins and Ministers of Mithila saw him on his throne.
When they stood before that bright venerable face, they
fell at his feet, without any hesitation or reservation.
They stood up and said, "Maharaja! We are messengers from
the Emperor Janaka of Mithila. He has commissioned us to
inquire and learn from you about your welfare and the
welfare of your realm. We have been sent with the
approval of sage Viswamitra, and with the consent of the
Royal Preceptor, the great Sathananda, by Maharaja Janaka
to communicate to you an important message."
Dasarathas face
was brightened by smiles; his assurance was unshaken; he
was struck by the humility and good manners of the envoys
from Mithila. He said, '0 Greatest among Brahmins! 0
Ministers of the Mithila Court! There is no deficiency in
the administration of the kingdom of Ayodhya, no
obstruction anywhere for rituals like Agnihotra; no
diminution in the happiness of any of my subjects, no
obstacle from any quarter in the path of their moral and
spiritual advance. My subjects are prosperous; they are
progressing steadily towards the highest goal. I am glad
to tell you this. I wish to know about the health and
welfare of Janaka, the Emperor of Mithila, about the
uninterrupted performance, in his kingdom, of the
religious rites prescribed in the Vedas. You can
communicate to me without any reservation the Message you
have brought with you. I am eager to hear it".
When Dasaratha granted
permission so softly and sweetly the Ministers signed the
Brahmins to speak out. The Chief Priest rose from his
seat and delivered the message thus: "Great Sovereign
Ruler! Our Maharaja Janaka has vowed that his daughter
Sita Devi will be given in marriage only to heroic might;
no doubt you must be aware of this, you might also be
knowing that many princes have tried to prove their
prowess and returned humiliated from Mithila. By Divine
Will, your two sons Rama and Lakshmana accompanied the
Sage Viswamitra eager to see the great Yajna which our
Maharaja is celebrating; it happened that your eldest
son, Rama, won Sita Devi by means of his incomparable
valour! Maharaja! What shall we say! How shall we
describe it? In full view of the distinguished gathering
of sages, kings and princes, Rama, who has attained the
highest pinnacle of valour, lifted and held the Bow of
Siva by its middle, kept it erect and stringed it! More
than this, he broke, as if in play, the Indomitable
sacred Bow into two pieces! Since Sita Devi is to be
given in marriage to him who lifts the Bow of Siva, the
sages who had assembled, as well as our Maharaja, have
decided to give her hand to Rama.
"We have been sent to
request and receive your assent, to offer you cordial
welcome, to invite you, with the preceptor, priests,
ministers, courtiers and kith and kin, and attendants and
followers, to the City of Mithila. Our Maharaja desires
to celebrate the marriage of his daughter after receiving
your Darsan. We are sent by him to your presence, in
order to inform you of this".
The priests and
ministers stood with folded hands, reverentially awaiting
the reply from Dasaratha. But, Dasaratha rolled it over
in his mind with earnest care and sent for the sages
Vasishta, Vamadeva and others, for consultations, before
speaking a word in reply. He also invited the foremost
among the Brahmins of the court. When they all arrived,
he asked the party from Mithila to repeat the message
they had brought. When they had listened to the news, he
wanted their comments. But first, Dasaratha fell
prostrate before sage Vasistha and prayed that he should
give his approval. Vasistha, Vamadeva and others
responded with joyous acclamations, "Most auspicious"!
"Most auspicious"! They asked, "Why spend further thought
on this? Make preparations for the journey to
Mithila"!
The ministers jumped in
joy; news of the wedding of Rama spread in a trice all
over the City and into the Inner apartments of the
Palace, where the Queens were. The citizens raised
exclamations of "Jai! Jai!" in their exultation.
Attendants and servants quickly made preparations for the
journey. Jewels, silk brocades and other gifts were
packed in large quantities and varieties; countless
chariots were loaded with them.
The Emperor and the
Imperial Escort, Vasishta the Royal Preceptor, the chief
Priests and other Brahmins and Pundits, ascended their
chariots and took their seats. It was as if Ayodhya
itself was moving out to Mithila to witness the marriage.
For all who longed to join, Dasaratha made suitable
arrangements. No one eager to go was left behind! The
horses seemed to share the joy that filled the hearts of
the inmates of the chariots; for, they trotted fast,
without slackening speed, or showing signs of exhaustion.
Two nights and two days they spent on the road, and the
third night, they reached Mithila!
Maharaja Janaka
welcomed Emperor Dasaratha at the very Entrance Gate of
his City. He welcomed the Ministers, Sages and Priests as
befitted their position and status. He arranged that they
take rest for the night in allotted residences. As soon
as the day dawned, Dasaratha sent for the
rthwiks
(priests who have specialised in ritual lore), the queens
and the kinsmen, and alerted them to be ready and
available the moment they were wanted. Meanwhile, Janaka
arrived at the mansion where Dasaratha was, and took him
to the special enclosure where the Yajna was being
celebrated. Seats had been allotted there for the
Preceptors, the Emperor and his entourage, according to
their rank and authority.
When all had occupied
their seats, Janaka welcomed Dasaratha with the words:
"Your coming to Mithila with these great sages and those
foremost Brahmins and your kinsmen and escort augurs
great good fortune for us. It marks the fruition of the
good we have done in past lives. I am sure great joy has
filled your mind, at the valour and victory of your son.
I am about to enter into relationship with the great
Raghu dynasty, resplendent with the 'boundless heroism of
its scions. My dynasty is about to be sanctified more
then ever before by this kinship. I believe this is the
result of the blessings showered on me by my forefathers.
Maharaja! This morning, the Yajna we have been
celebrating is coming to a close. I have thought of
celebrating the marriage of Sita and Rama after the
conclusion of the Yajna. I plead with you to confer your
assent."
Dasaratha thrilled with
Ananda.
His face was lit by bright smiles. He said, "Maharaja!
You are the donor; elders declare that a gift is to be
received at the sweet will and pleasure of the donor! So
I am ever prepared to take the gift whenever it pleases
you!" When Dasaratha spoke with such wit and wisdom, with
such heart-melting warmth of affection, Janaka was
overwhelmed with Ananda surging within him.
By then, Rama and
Lakshmana entered the enclosure with the Sage Viswamitra;
they prostrated before their father and their preceptors
- Vasishta, Vamadeva and others. Dasarathas eyes
glistened with delight as they fell upon the sons he had
missed so long. He drew them to himself; he placed his
hands on their shoulders; he pressed them to his bosom.
Seeing the Ananda of the father while fondling his sons
the Brahmins and ministers forgot themselves in
appreciation of the depth of his affection. They were
lost in admiration.
Dasaratha conversed
intimately with his sons, and listened to their sweet
simple descriptions of the Yajna which they guarded from
desecration by demonic forces; they told him the
incidents of the journey from the hermitage of Viswamitra
to Mithila City. The narrative was heard also by
Vasishta, Vamadeva and other sages, as well as by
Bharatha
and Satrughna,
Sumantra and many ministers, courtiers, and nobles. They
spent the night recapitulating the wonder and mystery
that formed the warp and woof of that
narrative.
Meanwhile, Janaka was
immersed in preparations for the wedding. He was mostly
in the palace itself; he invited the Chief Priest,
Sathananda, to the court, and prayed to him reverentially
to start collecting men and materials for the various
rites preliminary to the actual wedding rite. The sage
replied, "Maharaja! The Yajna concluded just today.
During the next two or three days, there are, I notice, a
few hours that are auspicious for the ceremonials. I can
give details, if you desire to know".
At this, Janaka said
saluting Sathananda and standing with folded hands,
"Master! I received the assent of the Emperor Dasaratha,
last night. This is indeed a sign of extreme good
fortune. My younger brother Kusadhwaja is not present
here now; he was all these days very busy supplying
provisions for the Yajna as and when the high priests
asked for them. I am reluctant to celebrate this most
auspicious ceremony without his being present by my side.
I do not want to deprive him of his share of joy. I have
set afoot plans to get him here quickly. I feel it would
be best if we fix the day and hour after his arrival".
Sathananda responded, "Good! Good! That will make us all
happy beyond calculation!" With this, he left the
palace.
Janaka sent messengers
with instructions that they should bring the brother to
Mithila, with expedition. They found him in his capital
City, Sankasya, for, they were taken thither by fleet -
footed horses which sped faster than others. They
reported to him the developments at Mithila, in detail;
Kusadhwaja was overcome with the flood of Ananda that
surged through him. He collected his kith and kin, as
well as his entourage, in great haste; he had chariots
loaded with gifts and presents, offerings and precious
materials. He started off that very night and quickly
reached Mithila.
Janaka hastened to meet
him, for, he was counting the minutes that were hurrying
by. He clasped his brother in fond embrace; he was filled
with inexpressible delight. Kusadhwaja fell at the feet
of his elder brother; he prostrated before Sathananda,
and then all three sat on raised seats, in order to
deliberate on the further course of action. They
consulted among themselves and when they decided finally
on what they have to do, they sent for the highly
respected elder statesman, Sudhama, and told him:
"Minister of State! Proceed now to the Presence of
Dasaratha and pray to him to come here, to this Palace
with his Ministers, Priests, Courtiers, kinsmen and
others he would like to bring with him. Bring him with
due honours".
contents
of this Vahini
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