We came to know the tale behind the moment Rama was born as the eldest son of Dasaratha to continue his dynasty and rid the world of the evil Ravana. The birth of a supreme personality needs some reason and backdrop to herald their being in all glory in the world. Whenever evil spirits rise in the world, a Rama will be born to subdue them – this is one lesson to remember and strongly believe. The evil spirits are within all of us and they ruling the roost requires a good, virtuous force to nullify them. The birth of Rama is the beginning of a new dawn to herald a supreme reign and annihilation of evil in the world. While we continue to reminisce Rama through this delightful story, let us hope the evils within us are conquered. Let us spread the goodness and virtues laid out by the Lord in any little way possible and pledge to defeat evil – both outward and inward. That will herald His rule and presence in the world. There is little doubt that as we are studying Ramayana, the ‘ism’ of Rama has already started to spread amongst us. With that, let us continue to look at the detailed account and usher the aura of Rama.
This follows the naming ceremony of the four princes after their birth. Like the Moon, Rama was the darling of all, including the King. The princes were trained in the Vedas, Vedangas, Dhanurveda, and art of using all weapons of warfare. The princes respected the elders and were very righteous and truthful. Lakshmana, who loved Rama more than his own life followed him like his own shadow. Rama too reciprocated his brother's love. He could neither eat nor sleep without Lakshmana, who followed his brother with a ready bow and arrow to ward off any danger that might ensue. Bharata and Satrughna also had a strong bond between them; Though Dasaratha took great pride in them, the princes never took advantage of his affection, but were ever humble. They were always ready to serve him with love and reverence.
King Dasaratha was extremely delighted with his growing sons, when they got enriched with wisdom and adorned with virtues, as they grew up with all branches of knowledge. They were modest, glorious, knowledgeable and far-sighted. They were attached to Vedic studies, and devoted to the service of their parents, and were equally well-versed in the science of archery. As their studies were nearing completion, King Dasaratha discussed with his family priests and relations about the marriage of his sons.
At the same time, Sage Viswamitra arrived at his palace and spoke to the gate-keepers: “Speak to the King about me, the sage Viswamitra, belonging to the Kusa line, the son of Gadhi, having arrived at the palace.”The King suddenly sprang up from his throne and went to receive the awe-inspiring Sage, noted for his terrible ‘tapas’ and great spiritual powers. The Sage was received with the customary rituals of ‘paadya’ and ‘arghya’. The Sage also talked to Vasishta and other ‘Rishis’. Thereafter he was invited to the royal durbar, with great humility and reverence. King Dasaratha considered himself very blessed to have Viswamitra with him at a time when he was at the peak of his measure of happiness. He spoke: “I consider your advent like ‘Amruta’ (nectar) in one’s hands, like rainfall in a waterless area, as the actual birth of a son to one pining for a child, or the recovery of a treasury irretrievably lost, or joy preceding a festive occasion. O Sage! Your austerities have raised your status from a Rajarishi to a Brahmarishi. I am at your humble service. Kindly instruct me what I have to do for you. I shall fully accomplish the object of your visit, for you are very much a God for me.”
Sage Viswamitra was pleased to know that the King had already granted his wish even before he had asked for it. He said, “What you have said is worthy of you alone and none else on earth. This speaks highly about the glory of your dynasty of kings, as well as the impact of a great sage like Vasishta as your family preceptor.” He then described the purpose of his visit. “Engaged in performing certain rituals I am facing great hindrances, from the rakshasas or devils Maricha and Subahu who have been raining flesh and blood on the sacrificial altar. These demons whose magical powers allow them to take any form at will, disrupt my efforts at all times and I have come away in despair. I cannot unleash my wrath upon them either, for the ritual is such that it forbids my uttering of curses while it is being conducted. So I ask you, give me Rama, your first born who knows no fear. He alone with his divine radiance is capable of slaying the rakshasas and I shall spread his fame in all the three worlds. Maricha and Subahu are of no match for Rama. They can never face him. Deem them dead already. I know of Rama's boundless courage and might which broods no retaliation .The most powerful Vasishta knows and so do the other sages. If your dharma and your fame are to remain forever on this earth, give me Rama! If Vasishta and your ministers allow it, send Rama with me, for ten nights. Let not the auspicious time set for my ritual slip away and do not sorrow." Visvamitra having said what he had to, fell silent and the doting father Dasaratha shattered and frightened sat on his throne, trembling with fear.
Emerging from his daze Dasaratha said,"Rama is not even sixteen years of age. Is it possible for him to war with the rakshasas? I have an entire Akshauhini of which I am the lord and master. I shall go to war with those armies for they and not Rama can vanquish the enemy. With bow in hand so long as there is life in me I shall protect the yagna and fight Maricha and Subahu. Rama is but a mere boy of sixteen years inexperienced in war and in the wielding of weapons. He is no match for the rakshasas who are notorious for their treachery. Separated from Rama I cannot live! Born to me after sixty thousand years he is my greatest delight, so do spare him" Dasaratha then wanted to know more about the rakshasas,"What are their powers? Who are they and whose sons are they? What kind of bodies do they have and how does one counter their treachery? Neither Rama nor I can match their magical powers, nor ward off their evil because these creatures are justly proud of being invincible. Great Brahmin! How can Rama oppose these deceitful demons?" And Visvamitra said, "Born of the Paulastya dynasty, a rakshasa by name Ravana armed with a boon from Brahma, has been tormenting the three worlds. Strong and mighty he always has bands of his fellow beings with him. He is the brother of Kubera and son of Visravas. Though Ravana is not obstructing my sacrifices, Maricha and Subahu do so at his behest." Having heard Visvamitra, Dasaratha said, "I have not the strength to confront Ravana. Visvamitra. You are my guru and my god. Be gracious when even the devas, danavas, yakshas or Pannagas can not face Ravana, how can men bear him? And how can Rama, a little boy who has not even heard of wars do so. How can I send my son to fight those monsters that seem to be the very incarnations of death?" When Visvamitra heard Dasaratha's questions, he exploded into a terrible rage, blazing like the flames of a sacrificial fire fed by oblations.
Infuriated with Dasaratha's words, Visvamitra said, "It is unworthy of you born of the race of Ikshvaku to go back on a promise. If you think that proper, I shall go away just as I had come and may you and your kin live happily." The earth shuddered at Visvamitra's anger and the devatas grew fearful. Vasishta, worshipful, wise, and courageous perceived trouble and reasoned with Dasaratha, "Lord, it does not befit you an Ikshvaku, reputed as the most righteous in the three worlds to abandon that very dharma to tread the path of adharma. Unjust and unworthy is this breach of promise which will augur nothing but ill will. Skilled or unskilled in weaponry Rama protected by Kausika will be inviolable to the rakshasas.
If dharma took a form, it would be known as Visvamitra. This great sage whose might, valor and wisdom have no comparison has knowledge of every weapon that exists in the three worlds. Supreme source of ascetic power, he has the skill to wield every one of them, which other men have neither seen nor heard of or ever will. Not even the celestials know of them! While Visvamitra was still a king, Lord Siva gifted those weapons to him. Not only does Visvamitra possess them but has created newer ones. Never fear for Rama's safety so long as he is with the sage, who implores you to send Rama not because he cannot vanquish the demons but because he wants Rama's fame to pervade the earth." With all his fears allayed Dasaratha consented to let Rama accompany Visvamitra.
Dasaratha, inspired by Vasishta's gentle persuasion, beamed with joy. Summoning Rama and Lakshmana he along with queen Kausalya bade farewell to Rama and Lakshmana amidst Vedic chants and auspicious mantras. Tranquil of mind and free of anguish Dasaratha fondly kissed Rama on his forehead and delivered him into the care and guidance of Visvamitra. As the great sage set out with Rama, Vayu, the god of wind blew caressingly, the drums of heaven sounded, the skies rained flowers and the palace reverberated with the sound of conches. Visvamitra journeyed back, followed by Rama and Lakshmana. With a pair of quivers strapped to their shoulders and armed with bows the princes were a power to reckon with. As they marched forth, their brilliance illuminated the entire world. They followed Visvamitra like the twin Aswini Devatas, born of the god of fire. With wrist and finger guards made of 'Godha' skin strapped on, bow in hand, lustrous, handsome, and beautifully attired the sons of Dasaratha followed the sage like Skanda and Visaka.
When they reached the right bank of Sarayu, Visvamitra full of grace and love said, "Rama, dear boy, sip this water let not the auspicious moments slip by. Accept from me a conglomeration of mantras called Bala and AtiBala.Armed with these, you shall suffer neither fever nor fatigue, nor will your beauty fade. No rakshasa can harm you even if you are asleep or off guard. The might of your arms, in wielding the bow and arrow will be unrivaled. You shall have no equal in these three worlds either in skill, beauty, kindness, intellect, resolve or in flawless judgment after the mastery of these mantras. Bala and AtiBala are the mothers of wisdom and knowledge. They will set one free from thirst and hunger. These two mantras are the grand daughters of Lord Brahma. The repeated chanting of these will earn you unequaled fame. You alone are worthy of receiving them. Recited with ascetic discipline they will bestow rare and manifold benefits on you." After bathing in the shimmering waters of the Sarayu and performing 'achamana', Rama received the two mantras, Bala and AtiBala from Visvamitra, the power of which enhanced the glow to match the splendor of the Sun god. With Visvamitra's caring ministrations, Rama and Lakshamana spent a comfortable night sleeping in the open on a bed of grass, on the banks of Sarayu.
This concludes the chapters 18,19,20,21 and 22 of Balakanda. Here we learnt about Rama's childhood till adolescence, the important event of Sage Visvamitra visiting Dasaratha and asking to send Rama along with him. It is the acquaintance of a great Sage Visvamitra who completes the education of Rama and prepares him for the future. We will learn more about Visvamitra, the rakshasas and the guardianship of Rama in subsequent posts. The custody of Visvamitra ends when Rama wins Sita and marries her. The marriage between Rama and Sita is an important event to look forward to and the foundation is laid now through Sage Visvamitra’s visit and accompanying Rama with him. It is Sage Visvamitra who directs Rama, plays an important role of a Guru in imparting education, and enables Rama to conquer evils and marry Sita. There is still quite a bit of time for the grandest and most celebrated marriage. Let us look at everything in between in the subsequent posts which prepares ground for the famed event.
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