Namaste!
Recap from last week: Rama's character.
One day King Dasharatha was in his royal court talking to his ministers as to what qualities should the brides of his sons possess when a messenger came in with the news that Sage Vishwamithra is in the kingdom and wished to meet King Dasharatha. The mere name of the sage sent panic waves across the court as everyone knew the power and anger of the sage. So king himself went to invite the sage to the palace. Both greeted each other and the king respected him in all the ways he could and invited him to the royal court and showed him his seat.
Dasharatha started talking. He was talking out of respect towards the sage and also because of his fear that Vishwamithra would curse the king because he did not have a chance to name the princes but his long time enemy Sage Vashista did. The king wanted to please the sage in every way he could and started making promises even before the sage opened his mouth to talk. This is where Sage Valmiki indirectly teaches us the importance of speech. As the wise said, you could take back anything but the words you uttered, that is why maharshi stresses on the point that we need to careful and think twice before we say something.
So the king promised him that he would obey his every order and do whatever he wanted him to. All this while Sage Vishwamithra was watching him and allowing him to talk what all he could. When he was done talking, Vishwamithra said, " O king Dasharatha!, the disciple of great guru Vashishta, you are the perfect example of the satya(truth) and Dharma(righteousness). You have now promised me to fulfill whatever I wish for. So going by your words I would now like to express my desire. I am doing a yagna for Sidhi but there are two demons who spoil my yagna again and again. As a part of this yagna, I am not supposed to curse the demons and hence unable to do anything but come here and ask your help. O King, I want your elder son, the most handsome prince Rama to accompany me and protect my yagna. Don't be afraid that your son might get hurt, please be assured that the demons will suffer his wrath and die. Your son is the greatest warrior I have ever known, I can see why he has come to the Earth. I know he is Lord Vishnu and even sage Vashishta knows this but you do not. Ask your guru. Send him with me, I will help him achieve his purpose."
King was baffled upon hearing this. He said, " O my lord, my Rama is just a kid, he is just sixteen years old. He falls asleep at dusk but the demons are known to fight at dusk, they are capable of all kinds of evil magic where as my son is just a kid. I am sixty thousand years old (true! Age span of that yuga was thousands of years per person) now and this son was born after I lost all hope. I cannot send him knowing that he will be fighting Maaricha and Subaahu (Ravana's friends), when I myself cannot fight them how can you expect my child to fight them? Please forgive me but this cannot be fulfilled."
Everyone there were sure that king would face the anger of the Sage but Vishwamithra blessed the king in a rather sarcastic tone. He said, "O king, may God bless you, your family and your kingdom who cannot stand on their words and promises with great wealth and happiness" Saying this he cast a glance at sage Vashishta implying that his disciple (king) was such a waste at fulfilling his promises.
Sage Vashishta then explained the king the potential of sage Vishwamithra and convinced him to send prince Ram along with Vishwamithra. Queen Kousalya did not even think twice before sending her son. Lakshmana whose external life was Rama went along with him to serve his brother.
Precap next week: Sage Vishwamithra teaches Rama and Lakshmana the great Bala and Athibala vidyas- the techniques to withstand hunger and sleep.
Sai Ram
Vipanchi Krishna.
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