In the last post, we had seen the great narration on Brahmarshi Viswamitra and all the illustrious events in his making by Satananda, family priest of King Janaka to Rama and Lakshmana. Viswamitra accompanied Rama and Lakshmana to the kingdom of Janaka for his yaga but through divine grace several auspicious beginnings unfold. We have entered that phase of the journey and let us look at how it happened. Here goes the intriguing story.
The trio left for the day to their abode after the narration on great Sage. Early next morning, Viswamitra, Rama and Lakshmana were taken to the ‘Yajna-sala’ and offered welcome. “What can I do for you?” Janaka beseeched the Sage, “please command me.” Sage Viswamitra then replied: “These are the sons of King Dasaratha. They are well-versed in ‘Dhanur-Veda’ and are righteous. They are curious to see, if they may, the great Divine Bow, ‘Siva-Dhanush’ worshipped by you. You will be blessed if you can bring that bow and satisfy their curiosity. King Janaka at once ordered his ministers to bring the bow.
Janaka then narrated the story of the great bow. "There was once a famous king, by name Devaratha, born as the sixth descendant of Nimi, who had received this bow in trust from Lord Siva. At the time of the destruction of Daksha's yagna, Lord Siva had jestingly said to the devatas, "In your eagerness to partake of the sacrificial offerings, you have failed to reserve my portion. So, I shall sever your precious heads with my bow". The devatas had immediately prayed for forgiveness and had won his grace. Siva had then gifted them this bow which they later passed on to Devaratha an ancestor of ours. The huge and heavy bow from Siva has been in the possession of King Janaka.
Janaka also described the story of Sita, how he got her as a baby, while ploughing a field for a ‘yaga’. The blade of the plow had uncovered a beautiful girl child, who rose from the mother Earth, came to know as Sita and growing up as his daughter.
‘Sita’ literally means ‘furrow’, and so she was named as such. She grew up like Goddess Lakshmi and Janaka vowed to give her in marriage only to the one who lifted and strung this Siva’s bow. (Note: It is believed that while Sita, as a little girl, was playing with a ball, the ball got stuck up under this great Bow; and without any hesitation, she lifted the bow with one hand, and retrieved the ball with the other. Seeing her divine might, Janaka vowed to marry her only to him who lifted the mighty bow.)
The king then said that whosoever sought her hand in marriage, was required to prove his strength by lifting and stringing the divine bow. Many had sought but in vain. The bow was placed before those who were eager to test their strength, but none succeeded in even grasping or lifting it. Janaka had found none worthy of his daughter and the band of unsuccessful suitors, frustrated and angered, had laid siege to Mithila, harassing and tormenting its population. A full year had passed, and the king's resources were dwindling. Finding the situation precarious, Janaka had prayed to the gods who granted him an army consisting of the best of chariots, horses, elephants and infantry. This army had trounced and driven away the wicked kings and their armies.
Offering to show that bow of incomparable splendor to the Ikshvaku princes he said, "If Rama could lift and string it, I would give my daughter to him in marriage". Ordered by the king, the mighty bow was brought festooned with flowers and smeared with sandal paste.
About five thousand strong men pulled an eight-wheeled-cart containing the Divine Bow and brought it there with great effort. No ‘Deva’ ‘Asura’, or any denizen of heaven or Earth, could ever string that bow till then.
Presenting it to Viswamitra he said, "Brahmin, here is the bow that the kings of Mithila worship the bow that has challenged the might of the mightiest.A challenge that has never been met even by the gods!Will it be possible for mere men?”
With the permission of Viswamitra and King Janaka, Sri Rama approached the huge box, opened it and gripped the colossal bow very easily, and took it out. Holding it on one hand, he strung it, and the bow broke into two with a thunderous sound; Of all those beholding the divine display of strength and valor, only Viswamitra, Janaka, and the two Raghavas remained standing while the rest, stunned, had fainted unconscious at the sound from breaking the huge bow. The congregated masses slowly struggled back to their senses, seeming befuddled and dazed. When some semblance of normalcy had returned, king Janaka reverentially told Viswamitra that he had witnessed the strength of the great Ikshvaku prince, "I had pledged the hand of my daughter in marriage to him who would prove his might in handling the bow. I now bestow Sita on Rama, as a gift for that might".
Sita, after watching it and fair beyond thought she stood there. Her eyes met Rama’s and stunned, they looked deliriously at each other. Their souls, no longer in their possession, became one.
Janaka said, “Sita with Rama as her lord will bring glory to my dynasty and she, who is dearer to me than my very life, shall be the consort of Rama. With your consent, my emissaries will hasten to Ayodhya to convey this news to Dasaratha”. Emissaries were sent to Ayodhya for inviting King Dasaratha and his family for solemnizing Rama’s wedding with Sita.
The messengers of Janaka arrived in Ayodhya, and beholding god-like Dasaratha, told him most reverentially,"Janaka, the lord of Mithila, sends you his greetings and good wishes and hopes to hear that all is well with you.With the permission of Viswamitra, Janaka would like you to listen to his request. He conveys that his daughter was promised in marriage as a reward, in a trial of strength. In that trial your illustrious son, under Viswamitra's guidance and in the presence of thousands has emerged victorious! "Rewarding his strength, and redeeming my pledge I wish to give Sita to Rama.Do give your consent and hasten to Mithila, with thy preceptors and priests to share my delight", says Janaka. The messengers told Dasaratha of the details of the great event. Delighted with the joyous tidings, Dasaratha informed Vasishta, Vamadeva and the other ministers, that Rama and Lakshmana were at this time in the court of Janaka and that Janaka wanted to give his daughter in marriage to Rama. "If this union meets with your approval, let us set out to Mithila without losing time".Every one approved and the emissaries were told that the journey was set for the next day. Honored and pleased, the counselors of Janaka spent a happy and pleasant night at Ayodhya.
Dasaratha summoned Sumantra and told him "Today let the keepers of the treasury escorted by guards go ahead of us, carrying an abundance of wealth, gems and jewelery. He also instructed that the four divisions of the army were to be readied, to depart at his command and that Vasishta, Vamadeva, Jabali, Kashyapa, Markandeya and sage Katyayana should lead the procession.Since the emissaries of Janaka were eager to hasten back.The journey to Mithila started on the morrow. The royal entourage was preceded by the priests and followed by the army. Four days of travel brought them all to their destination. Janaka hearing of their arrival hurried forth to welcome and honor his guests. His happiness doubled at the presence of Vasishta, and he said, "Honored is my dynasty and greater will be its glory with the alliance of the mighty house of Ikshvaku. At dawn tomorrow, after the completion of the sacrifice, the marriage, as approved by the sages will be performed", And Dasaratha said, "Acceptance is always in the hands of the giver.So we shall act as you desire".Janaka amazed and moved at these words was full of admiration for Dasaratha and for his sublime qualities of righteousness. Thereafter the guests from Ayodhya spent an evening of joy and friendship, with their hosts at Mithila. Dasaratha, pleased with the achievements of his sons Rama and Lakshmana honored by Janaka spent that night in supreme satisfaction and joy.
A new day dawned and Janaka told his chief priest Satananda, of his valiant brother Kushadwaja. He lived in the city of Sankasya where the waters of the river Ikshumati washed its walls and battlements, "I wish to see him and share my good fortune with him", said Janaka. He instructed competent riders, to take swift horses to bring back his brother the great Kushadhwaja. Reaching Mithila, Kushadhwaja paid obeisance to Satananda and Janaka and was seated on the throne. Janaka then asked his minister Sudamana, to bring that most venerable of kings, Dasaratha, along with Rama, Lakshmana and the royal retinue to his court. When all had assembled Dasaratha said that Vasishta with the approval of Viswamitra, would relate to them the order of his ancestry".
Then started the preliminary step for a marriage, ‘Varanam’ in which the ancestry of the boy and girl would be spelt out, and a formal proposal for the marriage would be placed and accepted by both the parties. On behalf of the boys’ side, and on behalf of King Dasaratha, Sage Vasishta traced the genealogy of the Ikshwaku Kings right from Lord Brahma, Mareechi, Kasyapa, Surya-deva, Manu, Ikshwaku (the first King of Ayodhya), Prithu, Trisanku, Mandhata, Bharata, Sagara, Dileepa, Bhagiratha, Kakutsta, Raghu, Ambarisha, Nahusha, Aja. Aja’s son was King Dasaratha, father of Rama and Lakshmana. Sage Vasishta then requested King Janaka: “On behalf of King Dasaratha, as his family priest, I sue for your two daughters for the sake of Sri Rama and Lakshmana, belonging as they do to the line of the dynasty of Ikshwaku. Be pleased give away your worthy daughters to the two equally worthy princes.”
Janaka said that it was now his turn to speak of his genealogy. "There lived a king by name Nimi, who was best among men and a virtuous soul. He was known for his deeds in the three worlds. Nimi begot a son by name Mithi, who constructed the city of Mithila. He is the first Janaka, and his son was Udavasa. From him on, were Nandivardhana, Devaratha, Bhrihaddhrata, Mahavira, Sudhruti, Dhrishtaku, Hyrasva, Maru, Pratindhaka, Kiritiratha, Devamidha, Vibudha, MahIndra, Maharoma, Swarnaroma and Hrasvaroma. Hrasvaroma begot two sons, of whom I am the first -born. Kushdhwaja is my brother. The king, my father, bequeathing the kingdom to me retired to the forest, passing on the responsibility of Kushadhwaja to me.My father is no more and I still continue my affectionate protection of my brother and rule my kingdom righteously. Sometime ago, the king of Sankasya, Sundhava, sent a message that the sacred bow of Siva and my daughter Sita be given to him. My rejection brought about a great conflict and in the encounter between us, Sudhanva perished, and I crowned Kushadhwaja, king of Sankasya. On Rama I gladly bestow Sita, my daughter who is like one, born of the gods. Urmila my other daughter I bestow on Lakshmana.The marriages will take place three days from now, under the Uttaraphalguni star".
Great Sages always have a ‘divya drishti’ (divine vision) and when they speak, they unfold the destiny awaiting the people they talk about.
Viswamitra, the mighty ascetic said to Janaka "wonderful and beyond compare are the Ikshvaku and Videha races, the magnitude of their glory defies the mind and there are none equal to them.The union of Rama and Sita and that of Lakshmana and Urmila are dharmic and perfect. I now seek the daughters of Kushdhwaja as brides for the other two sons of Dasaratha.,'So be it' said Janaka 'Let Mandavi and SrutaKirti become the wives of Bharata and, Satruhgna respectively.The four princesses shall marry the four princes on the same day, the last day under the Phalguni star when Bhaga is in ascendancy.
King Dasaratha was the happiest man on the Earth at that time, with un-precedented luck, following one after another.
Taking leave of Janaka and accompanied by his esteemed preceptors and sages Dasaratha reached his place of dwelling where he conducted prenuptial ceremonies and rites.The brahmins were given thousands of cows in the name of his sons with all the fondness of a father for his sons.
The next day was the great day of marriage for the four princes. All the princes and their brides had come fully decked and shining with sacred strings around their wrists – a ritual to protect from evil forces. King Janaka requested Sage Vasishta to conduct the marriage ceremony, as per the ‘Sastras’. Vasishta agreed and with Viswamitra and Sadananda made a ‘Vedi’ for offering ‘homa’ and decorated with flowers, golden vessels and mango leaves and sprouted seeds; and vessels filled with water, colored rice as ‘Akshata’ etc. He also spread ‘darbha’ around the fire chanting ‘mantras’. He then kndled fire and offered oblations into the fire. Placing at his head the Sage Vasishta and other eminent sages too, and accompanied by all his three brothers, Sri Rama, who was dressed in a festive attire for wedding, also arrived at the hour known as ‘Vijaya’, which was propitious for a wedding. Vasishta then spoke to Janaka that the emperor Dasaratha awaited the pleasure of the donor and advised him to discharge his sacred obligation of redeeming his promise.
King Janaka then escorted his daughter, Sita decked with various ornaments, and dressed in a yellow and red silk. She very much looked like Goddess Lakshmi, descended from the lap of Vishnu, shining like a streak of lightning in the sky. She was made to stand in front of Sri Rama; then King Janaka adressed Sri Rama:
“Iyam Sita mama suthaa, saha-dharma-chari thava / Prateecha chainam bhadram tey /
Paanim grihnishwa paanina / Pativrataa maha bhaga / Chhayevaanugataa tava.”
“This Sita, my daughter will fulfill all your Dharma along with you; therefore, accept her. Bless you, all auspiciousness; please take her hand in your hand. She considers her husband as everything in her life. Fortunate as she is, she will follow you inseparably, like your shadow.”
(This verse from Ramayana is quoted in all weddings, when a bride is given in marriage.)
With this pronouncement, king Janaka poured sacred and sanctified water like a ‘dhara’, (continuous flow) on the clasped hands of Sri Rama and Sita. As this consecrated water fell on the ground, there was a heavy shower of flowers from the heavens, accompanied by divine music and dance of the Gandharvas and Apsaras.
Sita came to be the consort of the great Ikshvaku, Rama! In this manner did the other three weddings of Lakshmana and Urmila, Bharata and Mandavi, and Satrughna and SrutaKirti also take place! The princes and their consorts circumambulated the two sages and their parents and entered into holy matrimony. Apsaras danced, gandharvas sang and great joy prevailed amidst song, dance and drums.
This concludes the chapters 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72 and 73 of Balakanda where we had seen the entire episode of divine union of most beautiful, prototype couple for billions since ages - Rama&Sita. They are mostly looked up to as example of how a wife and husband should be and we will continue to look at ways of how they both co-existed as we traverse through the epic. The journey of Rama is incomplete without Sita and Ramayana very much revolves around Sita. We should specifically learn how a man or woman should be singularly attached to a companion and no one else from this epic. The epic as we should remember is a model for how a man and woman should behave towards each other. It is to be noted that Rama and Sita met at the time of wedding, which has been accepted by all the elders and sages. It is more of a modern day arranged wedding where the elders took an active part in the proceedings than the couple. The epic describes it that way and how the world rejoiced at the ceremony of four sons of Dasaratha. Let us continue to look at more impressions from this timeless story in further posts.
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