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Excerpt from Ramayana Part 1 Chapter 4<\/p>\nExcerpt from Ramayana Part 1 Chapter 4<\/p>\n
Janaka continued speaking to the sage and the princes, who listened with great curiosity. \u201cOnce I was performing a sacrifice to please the gods in order to get a worthy successor in my line. As the sacrificial ground was being prepared with a golden ploughshare, a wonderful child appeared from out of the earth itself. This female child, who became known by the name of S\u012bt\u0101, grew up in my palace as my daughter. Her beauty is matchless. I have raised Her with love and will give Her in marriage to whoever can show exceptional prowess. Various rulers and princes have approached me and sued for Her hand. Seeing these kings, I set a standard for winning S\u012bt\u0101, saying, \u2018Whosoever can hold and string the mighty bow of \u015aiva will win this princess.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cMany proud kings thought they would easily bend the bow. However, coming before that bow they were soon shorn of their valor and pride. They were hardly able to move the bow even slightly, far less lift and string it. Angry at their failure, numerous kings together besieged Mithila for one full year. When my resources were exhausted I prayed to the gods for support. I then received from them a vast army equipped with every kind of weapon. That celestial army quickly dispersed those bellicose kings in all directions. Thus this bow remains here, unconquered and awaiting some truly powerful king.\u201d<\/p>\n
Janaka looked at the two royal brothers. R\u0101ma\u2019s fame had reached him and he felt sure that the prince would win his daughter\u2019s hand. As the king beheld R\u0101ma\u2019s beautiful features, His powerful physique and noble bearing, he longed for the prince to pass the test and become his son-in-law. He stood before Vi\u015bv\u0101mitra with folded palms. \u201cCome now, O sage, and bring these boys with you. If any can string the bow, then the hand of the divinely born S\u012bt\u0101 will be won.\u201d<\/p>\n
Janaka led them to the part of his great palace where the bow was kept. It was stored in an iron chest which was adorned with gold engravings and covered over with numerous flower garlands. Three hundred powerfully built men somehow managed to move the chest to the center of the hall where it lay. Janaka turned towards R\u0101ma. \u201cHere is the wonderful celestial bow. It has been kept and worshipped by the Janakas for many generations. Not even the gods, demons, Yak\u1e63as, Gandharvas or Kinnaras can string it; how then could any ordinary man? Gaze now upon this bow, O R\u0101ma.\u201d<\/p>\n
Janaka ordered that the chest be opened. As the lid was lifted the brilliant bow was revealed. It spread a golden glow all around. Constructed of pure horn, it was skillfully worked with gold and silver images of the pastimes of the gods. Hundreds of golden bells and ornaments hung from the bow, which was studded with diamonds and other gems.<\/p>\n
Seeing the bow the two princes gasped in appreciation. R\u0101ma bowed down in respect and then walked slowly around it. He looked towards Vi\u015bv\u0101mitra who nodded slightly. Understanding Vi\u015bv\u0101mitra\u2019s indication, R\u0101ma stood with joined palms at the bow\u2019s center. He turned to Janaka. \u201cI wish to attempt your test. I shall now try to lift this heavenly bow to gauge its weight and strength.\u201d<\/p>\n
While being extolled by Vi\u015bv\u0101mitra and other sages, who uttered \u201cVictory! Victory!\u201d R\u0101ma placed his hand upon the bow. There was complete silence in the hall. Janaka held his breath as R\u0101ma stood motionless. Vi\u015bv\u0101mitra, knowing the extent of R\u0101ma\u2019s power, smiled slightly.<\/p>\n
In the balcony of the hall stood S\u012bt\u0101. She looked at R\u0101ma, feeling a natural attraction for the prince. Until then She had never been interested in any of Her suitors, although the most powerful kings from all around the world had come there. To the gentle S\u012bt\u0101 they were all arrogant and overly proud of themselves. S\u012bt\u0101 was deeply religious. All Her life She had prayed that Vi\u1e63\u1e47u might become Her husband. As She watched R\u0101ma approach the bow She felt Her love for the Lord being awakened. Was this Vi\u1e63\u1e47u himself? Becoming absorbed in Her loving sentiment, S\u012bt\u0101 felt anxiety. Would R\u0101ma string the bow and become Her husband? She held the matrimonial garland with trembling hands.<\/p>\n
Suddenly R\u0101ma seized the bow by its middle part and raised it high above His head. A gasp of astonishment filled the hall. It was inconceivable. R\u0101ma tossed the bow slightly to gauge its weight. Placing one end of the colossal bow on the ground, R\u0101ma then moved to the other end and strung it. He pulled the string and bent the bow round into a semi-circle. It broke suddenly and a sound like the crash of thunder reverberated around the hall. The earth shook as if there were an earthquake. Everyone was stunned and rendered senseless for some moments.<\/p>\n
Janaka was amazed. He turned to Vi\u015bv\u0101mitra. \u201cI have now witnessed R\u0101ma\u2019s strength. His achievement is incredible. Having secured R\u0101ma as Her husband, S\u012bt\u0101 will bring undying fame to my family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Janaka\u2019s eyes were filled with tears. Surely R\u0101ma was a divine personality. There could be no doubt. Till then no king had been able to move the bow even slightly; some could hardly even look upon it. But R\u0101ma had handled it as if it were a piece of bamboo. The king looked up to S\u012bt\u0101 in the balcony. She was filled with delight upon seeing R\u0101ma\u2019s feat and Her breast heaved with excitement. Awaiting Her father\u2019s indication to come down, She stood surrounded by Her many female attendants. Janaka turned to speak to R\u0101ma, who stood peacefully, having replaced the broken bow in its chest. \u201cI shall now fulfill my pledge to give S\u012bt\u0101\u2019s hand to whoever could string this bow. S\u012bt\u0101 is dearer to me than my own life, but I gladly offer Her to You.\u201d<\/p>\n
S\u012bt\u0101 came down from the balcony with a garland of golden flowers in Her hands and stood by Her father. She was resplendent in a silk sari of deep maroon, a necklace of pearls shining on Her breast. As She walked Her golden anklets tinkled and her diamond earrings swung to and fro. Smiling gently, she shyly lifted her eyes a little and looked at R\u0101ma, who caught Her glance. Both felt Their hearts moved by love. In that moment Their union was forged. S\u012bt\u0101\u2019s father signaled and She went before R\u0101ma. She placed the garland around His neck, indicating Her acceptance of Him as Her husband. She blushed slightly and kept Her eyes down. Walking slowly, She went back to her father, who felt as if his heart might burst with happiness.<\/p>\n
The king wanted to perform the marriage ceremony as soon as possible. He asked for Vi\u015bv\u0101mitra\u2019s permission, and when the sage agreed, the king arranged for swift messengers to go to Ayodhya to inform Da\u015baratha.<\/p>\n
The ministers of Janaka left immediately and arrived at Ayodhya after three days. They quickly went to the palace and were ushered into the presence of Da\u015baratha, who appeared to them like a powerful god. Put at ease by the emperor\u2019s benign expression and gentle words of welcome, the ministers politely told him of the events in Mithila. The emperor was delighted to hear the submission of Janaka\u2019s envoys. R\u0101ma and Lak\u1e63man were well! They had conquered over the demons, and more than that, R\u0101ma had now won the beautiful S\u012bt\u0101 for His bride.<\/p>\n
Da\u015baratha recalled how he had been contemplating the marriage of his son even as Vi\u015bv\u0101mitra had arrived at his palace. The sage must have been sent by Providence, by whose arrangement this union had surely been made. After consulting with his counselors, Da\u015baratha made up his mind to leave the next day for Mithila.<\/p>\n
Taking with him his ministers and preceded by a party of priests, Da\u015baratha went the next morning towards Mithila, with his army marching close behind. They arrived after five days. Da\u015baratha approached Janaka, who graciously received the abundant riches brought as gifts. Janaka embraced the emperor, and the two old friends sat together discussing the wedding. Janaka told Da\u015baratha how S\u012bt\u0101 had appeared from the earth. He also told him of a prophesy he had heard.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce the celestial seer N\u0101rada informed me that S\u012bt\u0101 is Vi\u1e63\u1e47u\u2019s eternal consort and that he would one day become Her husband in this world. I thus devised a test which would only be possible for Vi\u1e63\u1e47u to pass. Your son has now passed that difficult test and must therefore be S\u012bt\u0101\u2019s eternal husband.\u201d Da\u015baratha was again astonished to hear of R\u0101ma\u2019s divinity. He still found it hard to believe, having raised R\u0101ma as his child. He looked at the son who stood before him modestly with bowed head and folded palms. Da\u015baratha was overpowered by love. His loving sentiments overcame any thoughts of R\u0101ma\u2019s divinity. The emperor looked again at Janaka and said, \u201cI approve this marriage in every way. Perform the ceremony under the guidance of learned Brahmins. O king, the success of a gift depends upon the way it is given. Therefore be sure that all the necessary rites are properly observed without loss of time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Da\u015baratha wanted to ensure that the marriage ceremony was performed carefully according to scriptural codes. He did not want any ill fortune created by neglect of sacred rituals. Such errors would blight the marriage and create future difficulties for the couple.<\/p>\n
Janaka issued instructions to his ministers and then sat with Da\u015baratha in his great palace hall. Both of them listened as Vasi\u1e63\u1e6dha recited R\u0101ma\u2019s family lineage. After hearing of R\u0101ma\u2019s ancestry, beginning with the sun-god, Janaka recited S\u012bt\u0101\u2019s genealogy, describing his own ancestry, which began with Brahm\u0101.<\/p>\n
When Janaka finished, Vi\u015bv\u0101mitra spoke. He suggested that S\u012bt\u0101\u2019s sister, Urmila, wed R\u0101ma\u2019s brother Lak\u1e63man. The sage also advised that Janaka\u2019s brother Kushadhvaja allow his two daughters to marry Bharata and Shatrughna. Then there could be one ceremony for all four marriages.<\/p>\n
Rising from his seat with joy, Janaka said, \u201cLet it be so!\u201d again and again. He fell prostrate before Vi\u015bv\u0101mitra and said, \u201cI am ever your servant. Your words are worthy of my worship and I stand commanded by you. Let the wedding take place tomorrow, a day marked by favorable stars.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the two kings sat talking together, the sun gradually set. Janaka took his leave from Da\u015baratha and departed for his personal quarters, flanked by his ministers and a hundred warriors. Thousands of golden oil lamps lit up the hall as the crowds of Brahmins made their way out, all of them constantly uttering auspicious Vedic hymns.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"