Kaikeyi and Manthara

She asked Kaikeyi why she was relaxing when her whole world was collapsing. Rama was to made king and Bharata was being ignored. Ask the king to banish Rama. If Bharata is made king, you will have all, now you will get nothing.

Kaikeyi said Rama was just and truthful. Why should she just send Rama away when there was no reason for that? Rama always respected her.The law said the eldest son would rule, and Dashratha was following that principle. Rama would treat Bharata like a king.

Kaikeyi felt very happy that Rama would be king. She wanted to gift something to Manthara for bringing the news to her. She took off an ornament from her body and gave it to Manthara.

Manthara flung the ornament away and with her eyes red with rage, she started speaking.

I have been trying to tell you something that is good for you, and instead of listening to me, you are telling the opposite of that. Kaushalya, cunningly has ensured that her son gets the crown. That would imply that Kaikeyi would become Kaushalya's maid. Why else was this being planned when Bharata was not there, but was visiting your brother. I do not blame the king, he has been brainwashed by Kaushalya.

Rama and Lakshmana will rule and Bharata will get nothing. Bharata, hearing this, will not come back as you have taken away his right, as the son of the king's favorite queen. Think of a way to send Rama into the forest and make Bharata the king.


Hearing the words of Manthara, Kaikeyi was swayed. The words seemed to make sense to her.

She said you wish me well. I never realized that Rama was cunning. With Bharata away, Rama would be crowned king. Dashratha lived and breathes Rama. If Rama goes away, the king will die. Think of a way in which Rama is not banished, but is not given the kingdom. Maybe the kingdom should be divided among the four brothers, and each takes a part and rules it.

Manthara said if you want a way to achieve your way, I can give you an idea. Years ago, the king had promised to give you anything you wanted. You have two of those promises pending. Use those and ask the king to fulfill those wishes of yours. You do not have time, anytime soon, Rama would be crowned king.
Change your dress, and wear rags. Throw off your ornaments, and lie on the ground.When the king asks for the reason, do not say anything, just keep crying. Tell the king later and remind him of the two promises. Tell him to first swear that he will fulfill those. With the first ask Bharata to be crowned king, and with the second ask for Rama to be sent to the forest for fourteen years.


When Kaikeyi was small, she had, in ignorance, taunted a sage. The sage had cursed her saying the whole world would curse her.

Kaikeyi hugged Manthara and said she would have a bath only once the king promised her that Bharata would be king.

Hearing this Mantha was elated.

Manthara hears the news

Ayodhya was lit like Amaravati, Indra's capital. Colorful flags were flying everywhere.
While everything seemed perfect, it was not so.

Ages ago there was an apsara called Dundubhi who had been born as Manthara. She was hunchbacked. She was cunning, vile and ugly. She was forever scheming. She had been sent from the heavens to find a way to send Rama to the forests. She had come along with Kaikeyi, at part of her dowry and she stayed since then, in Ayodhya.

Manthara came to see what was happening, why the people were celebrating. She heard from the people that Rama had been made the crown prince and the formal crowing was to happen next when Dashratha would hand over the kingdom to Rama.

Hearing this, Manthara went straight to Kaikeyi. Kaikeyi was resting, when Manthara entered her chamber.

Coronation

Next day Rama went to his father and greeted him. Dashratha said :

Do your duties as a just king. I had performed sacrifices to please the departed ancestors and gods. I looked after my subjects like my children. It is because one of the sacrifices that I got a son like you. I am old and will be leaving the world soon. I want you to be king after me and today I crown you king. Differentiate between friends and foes.
I have dreamt of ill omens. I have seen comets falling. I saw a lunar eclipse happening on a new moon day, something which cannot happen.
I feel my end is near and I would like you to be king in place of me.I am not sure how good a king Bharata will make, so I would like you to take up that role. Also, you being the eldest have the right to rule.
I have arranged for a formal ceremony to happen tomorrow.


Saying this Dashratha took leave of Rama.

Rama went to visit his mother, Kaushalya was busy with her worship when Rama approached her. He told her what Dashratha had told him. He asked her to pray to Durga and get her blessings.

Kaushalya blessed her son and Shiva and Durga be with you always to guide you.

Lakshmana came there looking for Rama. Rama told Lakshmana about the coronation.

The two brothers went to Sumitra, took her blessings and then they went back to Dashratha.

The preparations had started. Lamps were being lit everywhere. Everyone was happy and in a joyous mood. In the heavens, the gods also gathered to watch.

Slowly the sages started arriving and Rama took blessings of all of them.

Rama was anointed with sandal paste and with the chanting of mantras, he was crowned. Vashistha said the coronation would happen at an auspicious moment, the next day.

Joy of the people

Instruments were playing all over. Sages were chanting mantras and blessing Rama.
In a joyous mood, everyone was greeting each other.

With Rama's crowing, all griefs and worries would be over. Happy times were coming.

All, dressed in the finest of attire, went to see Rama, sitting on the throne.

Dashratha speaks to Rama

Dashratha spoke to Rama. He said :

You the eldest son of mine, born from my first wife. Starting learning how to rule the kingdom and learn the art of politics.

Do not ever look at another woman in bad light. Never gossip and never taunt others. Do not spread ill will among people. If a foe comes to you for shelter, do not refuse. Do not punish any one who has not committed a crime.

Respect your elders, sages and Gods. Act as per the scriptures.

See that your subjects know no grief.



The king thus taught Rama how to handle the kingdom and how to be a good king. When Kaushalya heard this, she was very happy. She started distributing alms among the poor and needy.

People who came to the palace were very happy to hear that Rama would crowned king. They went to Rama and blessed him.

After meeting and greeting the people Rama decided to go and visit his mother.

Dashratha decides to crown Rama

This is Ayodhya Kanda where Rama will go into the forest.

Dashratha had grown old, his hair was gray. He had been ruling for years and was tired. Many kings came to visit him, bringing gifts for his sons and their wives. They all wished their desire to see Rama as their future king. They said he was capable, having killed Taraka and vanquished Maricha at such a young age.

The king happy, did not want to show his feelings. He asked the people present what what had he done, that the people did not want him as the king anymore? He said he was taking care of his subjects like his own children.

The kings were stunned and did not know what to say.

Dashratha said he was joking and he agreed with the proposal. He said he would talk to Vashishtha and get a suitable date for the coronation of Rama.

A date in the month of Chaitra (March - April) was decided on for the event.

Arrangements started to procure all that was needed to crown Rama.

The king asked Sumantra, the charioteer, to fetch Rama. Sumantra wasting no time fetched Rama.

Rama came and bowed down to Dashratha.The king made his sit on the throne

Brides come home - End of Adi Kanda

Ayodhya was celebrating. Every house was decorated with multi colored flags flying everywhere. The women all came with lamps of clarified butter to greet the newly wedded couple.

Close to their house, bugles were sounded. The queens came out accompanied by other women of the house. At the auspicious moment, the queens had a look at the faces of the brides.

They gifted them many precious gifts.

The princes bowed down and touched the feet of the queens.

The queens blessed them.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

With this ends Adi Kanda of Krittivasi Ramayan.

Parashurama

Dashratha said he saw some ill omens. He told Vashistha the same. The sage told him not worry. He had his sons with him.
The noise of the instruments that were playing reached the ears of Parshurama, He wanted to know why this noise was coming from Mithila. He sensed some had married Sita and he needed to see what was the matter.
Meanwhile Janaka's family kissed and embraced their daughters and were bidding them farewell. They were advising their daughters to look at their in-laws as their parents and take care of them.
Parashurama appeared there.With an axe in a hand and the other hand holding his bow, he asked to stop.
Seeing him, Dashratha was scared. He bowed down at the feet of Parshurama.
Parashurama wanted to know who had broken the bow of Shiva. Dashratha said his son Rama had done that. Parashurama said who was this Rama who carried his name (Parashurama's name was Rama, as he carried an axe or Parashu, he was called Parashurama).
Hearing this Rama came forward and begged forgiveness.

Parashurama said he killed Kshatriyas and rivers of blood had flown because of that. One who had broken Shiva's bow deserved death.

Dashratha asked the sage to forgive his son. Lakshmana said to the sage that he had killed Kshatiyas when Rama and Lakshmana were not on this earth.

Parashurama said one who broke the bow, broke it because it was old. He challenged Rama to lift his bow and string it.

Sita was afraid. Once Rama broke a bow and got her. If he broke one more bow, who knows how many co-wives she would have to live with.

Parashurama flung his bow at Rama with anger. The bow was very heavy. Rama caught it easily with his left hand. Rama asked for an arrow. Parashurama gave an arrow to Rama, all his power went to Rama and he was left an ordinary brahmin.

Rama asked the sage why he should string the bow. Lakshmana asked Rama to go ahead. Rama smiling, strung the bow and twang its string. The sound that was produced, shook the worlds.

In the nether world, Vasuki started shaking. He was not able to withstand the weight of the bow and implored Rama to lift it off the earth.

Rama lifted the bow and said to Parashurama, I will not harm you, as you are a brahman. At the same time, the arrow should not go futile. What should I do with this?

Parashurama said, I recognize you as Narayan. Please stop my way to the heaven.

Rama with an arrow stopped the way to heaven for the sage. Parashurama left to carry on with his mediation.

For Dashratha it was like finding some lost treasure. He resumed his journey towards Ayodhya.

They reached the ashrama where Rama had saved the sacrifice. The wives of the sages came and greeted Rama.

From there they went and stopped only when they reached Ayodhya.

The princes wed

People were dancing and singing. Amongst them, Chandra also arrived and started dancing. Such was his dance that all were spellbound. All forgot about the auspicious moment. When the time had passed, Chandra stopped his dance. The priests did not realize that the moment had passed. They carried on with the wedding.

The four brothers went and sat in the place where the marriage would take place. They bowed down to all brahmanas. The princes were greeted by women who welcomed them with lamps, sandal paste and flowers. They applied yogurt on the feet of the princes and put unshelled rice on their heads.

Janaka's priest Shatanand and Vashitha started telling about the genealogy of Janaka and Dashratha.

Shatananda then asked Janaka to bring his daughters. Dashratha embraced Janaka. Dressed in the best of clothes and jewels, the princesses came there. Lamps were lit and the princesses took their seats.

Greeting Rama, Sita circumbulated him seven times. Sita and Rama then looked at each other. Janaka then gave away Sita to Rama.
Urmila then got married to Lakshmana, Bharata to Mandavi and Shatrughna to Shrutakirti.

The women of Mithila came to have a glimpse at the newly wedded couples. They played games all night and joked around. They said Rama he was dark and Sita was so fair, they would not match. To that, Rama said staying with a fair maiden he would become fair himself. This kept on till the night passed.

When dawn came, instruments started playing. Friends and relatives started coming. Janaka knew it was time for him to bid goodbye to his daughters. He asked Dashratha to let the princes stay in Mithila for a year, to which Dashratha jokingly did not agree. Janaka then asked Dashratha to have a some food before they left, to which Dashratha agreed.

A grand feast was organized. All had their fill and at the end they were given camphor and bettle nuts to keep in their mouths.

That night, the princes stayed in Mithila and the next day morning, Dashratha went to Janaka and asked for his permission to leave for Ayodhya.

The princes and their wives then bowed down to Janaka, his brother and their queens, and started preparing the journey ahead. Chariots were arranged and all got on their chariots.

Preparing for the wedding

Janaka went and greeted Dashratha.Janaka said if permission was given, four of his daughters would be wedded to four of the Ayudhya princes.
Dashratha embraced Janaka and said from today they were relatives.
Dashratha then went to the place where Rama was staying.
Rama came and bowed down at his father's feet.
Lakshmana then went and bowed down at Dashratha's feet. Bharata and Shatrughna then went bowed down at Rama's feet.
Lakshmana then bowed down at Bharata's feet and Shatrughna bowed down at Lakshmana's feet.

The brothers then embraced each other.

Vashistha, who had come along with Dashratha, went to Janaka. Janaka was in court. Seeing the sage, Janaka got up, welcomed him, washed his feet and gave him a seat. Vashitha and the astrologers in Janaka's court then decided on a date for Rama's wedding. They decided on a date which was very auspicious and the couple who got married would never be separated.

In heaven, the Gods were stunned. If Rama and Sita did not separate, how would Ravana die? They asked the Moon for help. Chandra (Moon) said he would dance in Janaka's court till the auspicious moment . Once that had passed away, he would leave.

Meanwhile Vashistha went to Dashratha about the date and time. Dashratha gave his consent.

Pitchers full of yougurt and milk started arriving along with that bunches of bananas.

Vashistha started the work of preparing the wedding place on the day of the wedding. He placed a pot and on the pot he placed a twig of the mango tree and on its base, he placed grains of unshelled rice. Vedas were being chanted by various sages who were present. Sita and the other princesses came there, dressed in new clothes and many ornaments. Vashistha poured sacrificial water on the heads of the princesses and they went back.

With the water, the sages went where Rama was. They asked Dashratha to bless his sons. The foreheads of the princes was annointed with sandal paste. Sacrificial water was poured on them and then the princes changed to new clothes. The princes were fed their last meal for the day.

The brahmana women came their and applied turmeric paste on the princes. Pitchers full of water was poured on the princes, and red sacred thread was tied on their wrists.

They were then dressed in the best of clothes and jewels. Dashratha then dressed himself and got ready for the wedding.

It was time for the wedding procession to start. Instruments started playing everywhere.

Dashratha leaves for Ayodhya

Hearing Rama speak, Vishwamitra was shocked, How would they get three other girls for the other brothers of Rama? He went to Janaka.

Janaka wanted to know if the date and time had been fixed for the marriage. The sage said they had bigger problems. Rama had said he would get married to a king who had daughters to give away to his brothers.

Janaka did not what to do. Shatananda, Janaka's priest then said it was possible. He reminded the king that he had a daughter other than Sita. Janaka's brother had two daughters. All these four sisters could get married at the same time, to the sons of Dashratha.

Vishwamitra went to Rama and said Janaka would give away four daughters to the four brothers. Rama said the other princes would have to be fetched, Also he would not marry without the permission of his father. Vishwamitra said he would arrange for people from Ayodhya to be fetched.

Janaka requested Vishwamitra to go and convey the news to Dashratha.

Vishwamitra first went to his ashrama. The sages there had heard about Rama breaking the bow. The sage told them all what had happened.

Passing the ashrama where Ahalya had been cursed, he went towards Ayodhya. He reached the banks of river Sarayu. People there saw the sage coming alone and they went told Dashratha the same.

It was as if a thunderbolt had struck the king. He rushed out of his palace. Approaching the sage, he asked where was Rama? Hearing the king, the queens rushed out. They also saw the sage alone. Kaushalya and Sumitra could not control them selves and started crying out.

While the sage was thinking how to tell the king the cause of his arrival, Vashishtha came there. He asked Vishwamitra for news about Rama.

Hearing this, Vishwamitra said, without even giving him a chance to speak, everyone had started crying.

Vashistha said seeing Vishwamitra come alone, the king and the queen were not in their senses. It was fit for Vishwamitra to related the purpose of his visit.

The king hearing this fell at Vishwamitra's feet and wanted to know how his sons were.

Vishwamitra said Rama was greatness personified. He had single handed, killed Taraka. He had rescued Ahalya. He killed rakshashas who were disturbing the sacrifices and finally in the palace of Janaka, he had broken the bow of Shiva and won his daughter Sita as his wife. Janaka had agreed to give away four daughters to the four brothers and the sage had come to give the king this news and to take him back to Mithila.

Dashrastha could not control his joy.

People started getting ready for the journey towards Mithila. Chariots, horses and elephants were made ready and all started their journey. Kaushalya and Sumitra wanted to apply turmeric paste on Rama and Lakshmana, but Sumitra asked Kaushalya to just bless Rama from distance, that was enough.

Many people went along on foot.

Janaka had arranged for food and shelters from the banks of Sarayu till his palace. Crossing the river Sarayu, Dashratha's army fed themselves and carried on with their journey.

They passed through the forest where Taraka had been killed. Vishwamitra said he would show Dashratha where Taraka's body was lying. Dashratha seeing the huge body of Taraka, wondered how a boy of Rama's age could kill a massive demon like Taraka.

They crossed the forest and crossed Ahalya's ashrama and then came to the banks of the river Ganga. The boatman who had helped Rama cross the river, hearing of Dashratha came on his own with boats to help all cross over to the other side of the river.

As Janaka's palace came closer, the people accompanying Dashratha became more excited. They started playing instruments loudly. A messenger went and informed Janaka that Dashratha was coming.

Breaking of the bow

When Rama stepped into the hall where the bow was kept, everyone present asked Rama to try and lift the bow. Many present there thought how would a young person like this manage to lift the bow, when they themselves had tried and failed.

Lakshmana asked Rama to lift the bow and dispel and doubts of the people present. Rama asked for permission from Vishwamitra.

Rama easily lifted the bow. This was the bow of Shiva, so Rama was scared to break it. He asked Vishwamitra what he should do. The sage said do as you feel like; lift the bow and break it.

Rama pulled at the bow, with a mighty sound the bow broke into two.

Such was the noise that people present were momentarily deafened. The worlds started shaking.

Janaka was elated. Music started playing. Rama went to the house of a priest of Janaka where he was taken care of, by the priest's family.

Vishwamitra then went to Janaka's palace.

Sita seeing the sage, bowed down before him. Janaka asked the sage to find out an auspicious time and moment when Rama's marriage could take place.

The sage then went to the place where Rama and Lakshmana were. He told Rama it was wish that he weds and goes home with his bride.

Rama said it had been many days since he had seen his father and further delay would worry his father. All four brothers were born on the same day, so it did not seem correct to get married, when they were not present. Also, they would like to marry one who had daughters who could get married to the other brothers. 

Sita's prayer

Going from that spot, Sita went into a temple and started praying. She wanted Rama as her husband. She prayed to Agni, to Ganesha, to Shiva and to Durga to grant Rama to her as her husband.

Having seen Rama she was attracted towards him and she wanted to spend her life with him.

Knowing what was in her mind, there was a voice from the skies. It said Do now worry daughter of Janaka, Rama will be your husband. The heavy bow of Shiva will become as light as a garland of flowers in Rama's hand. 

Rama goes to Janaka's palace

The sages blessed Rama for saving the sacrifice.  The offerings of the sacrifice was distributed amongst all. All were tired and went to sleep early.

The next days the sages were discussing among themselves about the previous day's happenings. They said Rama was not an ordinary person, but a God who was amongst them.

Hearing this Vishwamitra said that King Janaka was arranging a swayamvar for Sita. The sage said many kings had come to win Sita but all fled seeing the bow that had to be lifted to win the princess.

Rama and Lakshmana left with Vishwamitra to see the bow of Shiva. When they reached the palace gates, a message was sent to Janaka that Vishwamitra had come with slayer of Taraka.

The king welcomed them and made them comfortable. Vishwamitra told Janaka all that had happened.

Janaka after hearing this, wanted Rama as the husband for his daughter. People hearing this thronged to see the princes.

Janaka said anyone who can break the bow of Shiva can take my daughter Sita as his wife.

Rama wanted to see the bow and Janaka decided to take him there. At that momemnt. Sita with her attendants was also there. She asked her companions to find out who the handsom princes were, especially the dark one.. The companion said that was Rama, prince of Ayodhya.

Maricha defeated

The princes rested that night and next day they were ready. They went to Vishwamitra and asked for his permission to complete the task, for which they had been brought.

The sages there said there were about to start their sacrifice. As soon they would start, demons led by the son of Taraka would start splattering blood on the fire, and the sacrifice would be spoilt.

Rama asked the sages to start their sacrifice and he would stand guard there. Hearimg Rama, the sages gathered their kusha grass stalks and went to the place where they would perform the sacrifice. Some sat on kusha seats and some sat on seats made from skin of tigers.

They started chanting the Vedas. Such was the power, that the fire of the sacrifice came up on its own.

The smoke from sacrifice reached the sky and Maricha smelling that, came forward, with his troupe to destroy the sacrifice.

The sages made a sign to Rama that Maricha was coming.

Rama and Lakshmama started shotting arrows. The rocks and trees being hurled at the princes were futile. The aroows cut them off.

Soon Maricha's followers were all gone. Maricha, son of Taraka, was angry to see this. He came and attacked Rama and Lakshmana.

Maricha was showering arrows on Rama. Rama picked up the thunder weapon and hurled that at Maricha.

The Gods began thinking. If Rama killed Maricha, then how would Ravana kidnap Sita? So as soon as the weapon struck Maricha, instead of killing him, it flung the demon far away. He landed in Lanka.

He was changed. Taking the name of Rama, he decided to devote the rest of his life in meditation.

Rama crosses Ganga

Rama wanted to know how Indra got relief from the curse. Vishwamitra said, as per Gautama's curse, Indra was cursed to have a thousand yonis on his body. He decided to perform an ashwamedha yagna, which cured him. The yonis turned to eyes.

Thus talking Rama, Lakshmana and Vishwamitra reached the banks of Ganga. The boatman there heard them talking about bringing a stone to life with the touch of a foot, and he fled with his boat.

Vishwamitra started calling him, and when he refused to come the sage threatened to burn him. The boatman slowly approached them.

The sage asked the boatman to help them cross the river.The boatman said he had a worn and old boat which would not be able to take them, and he said he would help them cross by taking them on his shoulders. He also said he was hearing one of them had brought a stone to life and if that person brought his boat to life, his source of livelihood would be destroyed.

When he was assured that nothing would happen, the boatman washed the feet of all and helped them cross the river on his boat.

Having crossed the river, Rama looked at the boat which turned into gold. Leaving the boatman, they resumed their journey towards Mithila.

Seeing Rama coming, the sages around came and greeted him and Lakshmana.

Saving Ahalya

Vishwamitra was pleased to see Rama kill Taraka. Rama said it was possible with the blessings of Vishwamitra. The sage wanted to see what the Rakshashi looked like.
Seeing the dead rakshashi the sage was stunned. He had not seen anyone so ugly before.
Vishwamitra then pointed to a spot and said that was the spot where Pawana was born. Pointing to a stone nearby, he asked Rama to place his foot on that.
Rama asked why should he touch that stone with his foot.
Vishwamitra then said :
Brahma had created many beautiful women, of which one was Ahalya. Her beauty was incomparable in the three worlds.
The sage Gautama married Ahalya. Indra was a student of Gautama.
Once when Gautama was away, Indra came to his hut. Seeing Gautama not in the house, he took Gautama's form and entered the house.
Thinking it to be her husband, Ahalya wanted to know why he had come back so early.
Indra said I was thinking of you and was not able to concentrate on my meditation. That is why I came back. Come to me and embrace me.
Ahalya could not refuse her husband and she came to Indra. They went into the inner rooms where they slept together. Unmindful that Ahalya was the wife of his Guru, Indra had sex with her and left.

When Gautama came back home, he asked her why she did not look normal. Ahalya said you should know as it was your doing.

It was as if the skies fell on Gautama. Meditating he realized what Indra had done. He said : Indra, you have give a good return of what I have taught you so far. You have ravised my wife. Let your body get a thousand sores.

In anger, the sage cursed his wife to become a stone. Ahalya wanted to know when she get freedom.

Gautama said, what I have said will happen. In the house of Dashratha, Rama will be born. To save his sacrifice, Vishwamitra will bring Rama. When Rama places his foot on you, you will be free.

Hearing this Lakshmana said, how will Rama place his foot on the stone, knowing its a brahmana woman.  Vishwamitra said, Rama, she not a woman now, but a stone.

Hearing this, Rama placed his lotus foot on the stone. The curse was lifted, Ahlaya was free and Gautama came there to receive his wife.

Killing of Taraka

The princes reached the border of the forest where Taraka lived. Vishwamitra again asked the princes, which path should be taken.
Rama said let us take the shorter path and not waste time. If Taraka does not harm us, we will not do anything. If without reason, she attacks us, she will have to put to end.

Testing Rama, Vishwamitra said, I am scared. Just thinking of the forest makes me feverish. It seems you have made up your mind to make a meal for Taraka. When the rakshashi comes to catch me, you two will flee leaving me in her clutches.

Rama smiled. He said I do not hold this bow as a toy. If Taraka does attack us, I promise I will kill her fast.

Pleased with reply, the sage took the princes into the forest. With the sage in the middle of the two brothers, Vishwamitra showed the princes, the hut where Taraka lived and leapt into a distance to avoid Taraka. Rama asked Lakshmana to be with Vishwamitra while he dealt with Taraka.

Using his left knee, Rama bent the bow and using his right hand tightened the bow string. He then tightened his clothes. Then holding the bow in his left hand, he pulled the bow string with his right hand. The sound that came shook all three worlds.

Taraka was sleeping when she suddenly got up, wakened by the loud noise. Looking out she saw Rama with the bow in his hand. She came out and stood in front of Rama and said she would kill him.

She was terrible to look at. She was wearing dead brahmanas as garments, and her earrings were skulls. She thought she did not have a proper seat at home, and killing this person, she would use him as a seat. Till date she had been feeding on old feeble brahmanas who were thin and skeleton like. Seeing Rama, she was happy. Atlast there was someone here who would taste good.

Rama said O Copper skinned one, with iron like teeth, I have come here to send you to the house of Yama. You have converted a town into a forest by devouring all its inhabitants.

Angry Taraka came close to Rama and increased her size. She hurled a huge tree towards Rama, which he swiftly cut off with his bow.She uprooted another tree and flung that towards Rama, which he also cut off, into pieces.  She kept showering trees and Rama kept cutting them. The sounds and flashes of the arrows ; it seemed like lightning had struck.

The Gods whispered in Rama's ears - Use the Vajra. Rama invoked the thunder weapon, Vajra, and flung that at Taraka. The weapon struck Taraka, and she fell.

Rama came and bowed down before Vishwamitra.

Rama and Lakshmana leave with Vishwamitra

Vishwamitra was pleased to see Rama. With his hair tied on the top of his head, his presence glowed like a full moon in the night sky. He asked Rama to follow him.

Dashratha came to know that Rama was leaving with Vishwamitra. He came to the sage and asked him to take Lakshmana along with him.

Vishwamitra told the king - Do not worry for Rama. He has been born to get the earth of the rakshashas. Do not worry, Rama and Lakshmana will come to you, safe.
He then asked Rama to follow him. Rama said he would like to visit his mother and bid her goodbye.

He went to Kaushalya, who was busy worshiping. He told her he was going with Vishwamitra to Mithila, to kill Rakshasas and save the sacrifices. He asked for her blessings.

With wet eyes, Kaushalya hugged her son and blessed him.

Dashratha stood watching with wet eyes, while Rama and Lakshmana left with Vishwamitra. He stood watching them, till they vanished from his sight.
Vishwamitra walked in front with the two princes following him. It was like Brahma walking with the twin gods, Ashwini Kumar, walking behind him.

Walking away, Rama and Lakshmana started feeling tired. The sun was too bright and the princes were sweating profusely. Seeing this, Vishwamitra was worried. He thought for a while and then asked the princes to have a bath in the nearby river and come to him. He said he would initiate them in a mantra, because of which they would not feel tired, feel hungry and would be always active.

The two princes learnt the mantra and were refreshed.

The Gods were pleased to see this. Lakshmana was destined to go without food for many days, because of which he would be able to kill Indrajit.

The kings tricks Vishwamitra

The king said, Rama is not skilled in archery and hardly knows how to use the weapons. How will be able to slay the demons? My sons are very young and their hair is so small, that it has to tied in a knot on the top of the head.

I will send my army with you. They will help you slay the demons.

Vishwamitra said I do not have the means to take care of your army. Rama alone is sufficient for me. Your ancestor, Harishchandra, gave me his land and sold his wife and son to give me wealth. You, from his dynasty, have doubts about giving your son to me. Your dynasty, of which you are proud, will come to an end, with this behavior of yours.

The king started thinking. He called Bharata and Shatrughna and asked them to go with Vishwamitra. The sage never having seen Rama, thought they were Rama and Lakshmana and they left, the princes following the sage. They soon came to the banks of river Saryu.

The sage then showing the way, said There are two ways to reach our destination. A path here will take us three days. Another path will take us less than a day. The shorter path is scary. There is a Rakshasi called Taraka who lives in that path. She will kill all who pass that way. Which way should we take?

Bharata said Let us avoid the evil and take the longer path.

Vishwamitra started wondering. Was this the person who was destined to kill the Rakshasas? One is trying to avoid one Rakshasa, how will he be able to kill millions of them later on? He realized the king had given Bharata instead of Rama.

Angry at being tricked, he said he will put an end to Ayodhya. Coming back to Ayodhya, the sage let a ball of fire into Ayodhya. All citizens started closing their doors and windows fearing their end.

They went to Rama and said : The king had tricked the sage by not giving you to the sage. As a result of that, we are suffering.

Hearing their pleas Rama went to Vishwamitra and bowed down before him. He said - The citizens are innocent, so why should they suffer? One who has done wrong deserves the punishment, not an innocent one. As a sage you are loosing all your good will in anger. Let your anger subside.My father was bound by his love for me, which is why he did not let me go. I am ready to leave now. Let us go to Mithila and save your sacrifice.

The sage smiled and Ayodhya was back to normal. 

Dashratha's refusal

The king said ,

When I am asleep, Rama is in my heart. If I do see him in my dreams, my heart nearly stops. Getting Rama was not simple. When I was out hunting, I had killed a boy called Sindhu, who was the son of a sage. Sindhu had come to fetch water and I had used the Shabdabhedi weapon and had accidentally killed him.

Taking Sindhu in my arms, I laid his body in front of his parents. Sindhu's father cursed me, and because of that I have got Rama.

Thus, O sage, take me with you. I will go with you and put an end to the demons. Other than Rama and Lakshmana, let me know if you need something else, and I will give you that.

Vishwamitra got angry.

Vishwamitra comes to Dashratha

While Dashratha was living happily in Ayodhya, a sacrifice was happening in the land of Mithila. The sages were performing the sacrifice but they were unable to complete it.
As soon as the sages would start, Maricha would splatter blood over the fire.

Worried Janaka sat with the sages to find out a way. Among them was the sage Vishwamitra. He decided to go and fetch Rama. Rama would kill the demons and the sacrifices would complete.

He reached Ayodhya. Hearing of his arrival , Dashratha was worried. Vishwamitra spelt trouble for his dynasty. He remembered what had happened to Harishchandra.

Keeping his fears aside, the king greeted the sage and asked for the reason of his visit.
Vishwamitra said, the sages are trying to perform sacrifices but the Rakshasas are spoiling that. Give me Rama and Lakshmana, so they can go and kill the demons.

The king was stunned. He thought of the curse of the blind sage and his heart started beating faster. He told the sage , ask for my life, I will readily give you that, please do not ask for Rama. I cannot live without seeing Rama for a moment and will not live if he goes.

Friendship with Guhaka and meeting Bharadwaj

On an auspicious day of full moon, Dashratha decided to have a bath in the Ganges along with his sons. Dashratha gave away wealth to the poor.
The chariots sped like comets, accompanied by horsemen and priests. The sound of the movement covered the skies.

On their way, they came across the sage Narada. Narada asked where they were going, to which Dashratha said they were going to have a bath in Ganga.

Narada said You do not know about Rama. Having a look at his face is more then having a dip in the river. Rama is none other than Narayan from whose feet Ganga has originated. You look as Rama as your mortal son and have forgotten about his divinity.

Hearing this Dashratha decided to return back home. Rama then said there would be many who will try deviate one's path. If one has taken a decision, that needs to be adhered to.

Hearing this, Dashratha resumed his journey towards Ganga.

On the way they came across the Chandala Guhaka. Dashratha was passing through the Chandala territory which Guhaka did not like. He stopped them from proceeding further. A fight broke out. Guhaka said You are disturbing me and your army is destroying my land and fields. If you need to go to the river Ganges, choose an alternate path. If you so desire to proceed from this path only, show me your son Rama.

Guhaka started calling out to Rama, and scared for Rama's safety, Dashratha hid Rama in the chariot. Dashratha picked up his bow and he was about to shoot an arrow when he thought he would invoke a bad name if he killed a Chandala. If he let go, the Chandala would pick up a fight.

They started exchanging words and then arrows. Dashratha remembered a weapon called Pashupat. The weapon tied the Chandala with ropes. Dashratha then had the Chandala placed in his chariot.

Guhaka was thinking of Rama. He had obstructed the path only to have a glimpse of Rama, but so far he had not seen him. He thought of a way out. As his hands were tied, he started shooting arrows, holding the bow with one foot, and using the other foot to shoot.

Bharata saw this and reported to Rama about this. Rama curious wanted to see this and went to Guhaka and asked why he was doing thus.

Guhaka said Let me tell you about myself. When Dashratha did not have any sons, he had accidentally killed the son of a blind sage. As this was a death of a sage, the king had gone to his Guru, Vashistha for help and for a way to atone from the sin.
Vashistha was not there then, but I was, as the sage's son called Vamadeva. I had told the king to take your name three times. Hearing this my father had cursed me to become a Chandala. I had then asked what I had to do, to get relief from the curse. My father then said, I would be relieved the moment I saw Rama.
Rama embraced Guhaka.
Rama went to his father and asked for Guhaka to be released, to which Dashratha agreed readily.
Rama then asked Lakshmana to get some logs and start a fire.
When the fire was lit, Rama and Guhaka pledged friendship around the fire.

Guhaka left and Dashratha along with sons proceed towards Ganga.

After bathing, Dashratha distributed alms to the poor and to the brahmins.

When the sun set, Dashratha went to the hermitage of sage Bhardwaj nearby.

The sage was sitting in his hut when Dashrath entered along with four sons. The king with folded hands, presented his sons to the sage, and asked him to bless them.

The sage said Dashratha, you are lucky to have the one who is the father of all worlds as your son.
The sage had a vision of Vishnu standing instead of Rama, in his form of four hands. On his body, the sage saw, the other Gods sitting.

The sage took the king and the princes and asked them to rest for the night. All slept there.
When half of the night was over, the sage woke up. Indra had given a bow for Rama. The sage kept the bow and quiver near Rama's head. He had a dream where in he had been instructed to give the bow and the quiver to Rama.

In the morning Rama saw the bow and the quiver. The sage told Rama that Indra had left the bow for him. The quiver would always be full for arrows, and that was also for Rama.

Rama pleased showed them to Dashratha.

Taking leave of the sage, Dashratha left for Ayodhya.

Ravana tries his luck

In Lanka, Ravana heard this and wanted to try his luck too. Accompanied with Prahasta, Mahodar, Maricha and Akampan, Ravana left for Mithila.
Janaka was worried. If Ravana was not able to lift the bow, he could forcibly carry away Sita.

Janaka went to welcome Ravana when the latter arrived. Ravana said he wanted Sita as his wife. Janaka said : You are unequalled in strength. I would gladly give away my daughter to you but I am bound by a promise. Parashurama gave me a bow. No one has been able to lift the bow. If you can lift the bow, I will give away Sita to you.

Ravana started laughing. He said the bow was nothing for one who had lifted the Mount Kailasha. He said Fetch Sita here. I will hold a hand of hers and with the other hand, I will lift the bow.

Janaka said, the condition is that the bow needs to be strung before anything.

Prahastha also advised Ravana and asked him to abide by the promise.

Ravana went to the room where the bow was kept. Seeing the bow he was a bit scared. What if he was not able to lift the bow?
He tightened his clothes and with his twenty hands he tried to lift the bow but he could not move it at all. He asked his uncle Prahastha for advice.

Prahastha said they would become laughing stock after all the boasting. He asked Ravana to try once more.

Ravana tried but the bow would not move. He then said Uncle, it seems like my life will go off. I am unable to move it a bit. He asked Prahastha to also try and lift along with him.

Prahastha said if they were successful, who would marry Sita amongst them? He asked Ravana to try again.

Ravana failed again. This time he said Enough done. Send for the chariot.

With his hands around his waist he looked towards the sky fearing Indra watching him and laughing at him.

Ravana with his followers fled from Mithila the moment the chariot arrived.

Kings try their luck

When the news of the bow spread all over, Kings thought they try their luck.
They came one by one, proclaiming their weight proudly. They were all directed towards the room where the bow was kept.
Trying to lift the bow, they would fall down and roll on the ground.
They would pull up their clothes, and try to lift the bow.
Leave alone lifting, they could not even move it a bit.

Ashamed the kings fled. While the kings were fleeing, they met another set of kings who were coming to try their luck. Some fled after hearing what had happened while some others came forth to try their luck.

Millions of kings and princes came and no one could do anything.

Janaka's promise

Janaka asked Parashurama the reason for his arrival.
Parashurama said he wanted to marry Sita.
Janaka said it would be Sita's great fortune to marry a great person like him. The only problem was that she was very small.
Parashurama said he would be in meditation and when time came he would arrive and ask for Sita.
Janaka bowing down before Parashurama asked him to whom should he give away Sita to, in case the great sage did not come?

Parashurama said he was leaving his bow there. Anyone who could lift the bow and string it would be a suitable husband for Sita.

The bow remained in Janaka's house. It was a wonderful bow, great in size and weight. As no one could lift the bow, a room was built around the place where the bow was kept.

The news of the bow spread all over.

Shiva's bow for Janaka

When Rama was seven years old, Sita was born in Mithila. She was found by Janaka when he was running the plough in his fields. Sita's beauty was incomparable. This was Lakshmi who was being brought up Janaka as his daughter.
When she lined by deer shaped eyes with kohl, it was difficult to make out if this was Durga or Lakshmi. When she walked, it looked like a swan in flight.
Janaka was wondering who the able husband for Sita would be.
Brahma and Indra were worried too. What if someone married Sita apart from Rama? They went to Kailasha. They asked Shiva to help protect Sita from all. Only Rama should be able to wed Sita.
Saying this Brahma and Indra left.

Shiva sent for Parashurama and asked him to carry his bow to Janaka. He further said, Parasuram should tell Janaka that his daughter will marry only that person who would able to break this bow. Only Narayana apart from Shiva had the ability to lift the bow.

Hearing Shiva's command, Parashurama left for Mithila. He was great to look at - matted hair on his head, two quivers on his back, an axe in a hand and the bow in the other.

Janaka welcomes Parashurama in Mithila.

Education

When the princes were five years old, they were sent to the ashrama of Vashistha for their education. Starting with alphabets they gradually started learning writing words and then sentences. Having mastered the languages, princes started their study of the Vedas.
Along with the languages and scriptures, the princes started mastering the arts of warfare. They would get up early and proceed towards their gymnasium where they would learn to wrestle.
Ram excelled in this and there was no one who could beat him in wrestling.

With bows made of sticks they practiced in the gardens and mastered the art. There was no one equal to Rama in archery. Anyone who had enmity with Dashratha were wary of Rama.

One day along with Lakshmana, Rama went into the forests. They went around looking for deer. Suddenly Maricha, the demon came in front of Rama in the form of a deer. Rama seeing the deer released an arrow. The arrow went after the deer, and the deer running for its life.

Scared, Maricha fled till he came across the kingdom of Mithila and settled down there.

When the sun set, Lakshamana was tired. Seeing him tired, Rama was hurt. Seeing some gooseberry trees, he plucked a few and gave them to Lakshmana who felt revived and fresh. They then went towards a lake where the birds were singing away.

Brahma said to Indra, Hari is here in the form of Rama. He will have to live in the forests for fourteen years. He will have  to live in conditions where he will not always get food. He asked Indra to keep nectar in the lotus stalks, in the lake. Consuming the nectar, Rama's hunger will vanish and he will be able to live without food for the fourteen years.

Indra hid the necatr in the lake, in the lotus stalks.

Soon after, Rama was thirsty. He asked Lakshmana to pluck a lotus flower and get some water in its stalk. Lakshmana did so and the two brothers had some water with the help of the Lotus stalks. The nectar was also consumed by them.

Soon laying some leaves and grass on the forest floor, the princes lay down and soon were asleep.

In the palace, Dashratha was grieved. Where was Rama? He started searching everywhere, in the chambers of the queens, and could find only Bharata and Shatrughna. The king thought probably this is what the old blind sage had referred to. All through the night they searched around.

When dawn came, Rama and Lakshmana stepped into the palace. Bharata and Shatrughna saw this and reported to Dashratha and the queens. The queens came to see Rama. Kaushalya smothered Rama with kisses. Kaushalya then fed Rama, making him sit on her lap.

Growing up

Soon the princes began crawling on the floor. From one queen to another, they would go crawling. Sometimes with the queen, sometimes with Dashratha, the princes spent their time crawling around.
In their own language, they started uttering words.

When they were a year old, they were dressed in clothes fit for boys of their age. Anklets were tied to their feet, so one could keep track of where they were.

All brothers would discover new games and play. What Rama did, Lakshmama would imitate; so was the case with Shatrughna following Bharata.

Something seeing Rama, Dashratha would shudder thinking of the blind sage's curse. How would he live without Rama?

Annaprashan of the Princes

On their sixth month, Dashratha arranged for the Annaprashana of his sons.
The princes were fed their first solid food. Vashishtha fed them.

Dashratha taking his sons fed them with his own hands.

It was time to think of a name for the princes. Kaushalya's son was named after the mantra that had given salvation to Valmiki, and he was named Rama.

Destined to bear the weight of the earth, Kaikeyi's son was called Bharata.

Sumitra had twins. The younger was named Shatrughna and the elder one was named Lakshmana.

The king hearing the names of his sons, gifted cows to the priests.