(This is the latter part of Chapter 61 in Balakanda, Sri Valmeeki Ramayana that relates to the story of Ambareesha Maharaja. Please read, comment and share. SDN)
Ambareesha Maharaja, who was a radiant Rajarshi, prostrated before Brahmarshi Rucheeka, who was glowing with radiation that had covered him because of continuous penance, and said: “Revered Maharshi, is your penance going on without any impediment or obstruction? Are all the members of your family healthy and cheerful?”
After exchanging pleasantries that way, he also explained the reason for his visit too:
“Oh fortunate, if you agree to take one lakh cows and give me one your sons in exchange for offering him as prey in the sacrifice, I will be highly obliged. I travelled across all countries, towns, hills, valleys and forests to search for the lost horse. But, I did not find that animal anywhere. Therefore, give me one of your sons by accepting any amount of wealth as exchange value.”
Requested in this manner, Maharshi Rucheeka told the King:
“Oh Great Man, I cannot give my eldest son for any value.4”
Hearing the words of Rucheeka Maharshi, mother of those great sons told tiger-like Ambareesha: “My revered husband and descendant of Bhrugu Maharshi has said that he will not barter eldest son, has he not? Youngest Shunaka is very dear to me. Therefore, I will not barter my youngest son for any value.
PrAyENa hi narashrEShTha jyEShThaha pitruShu vallabhAha|
MAtrUNAm cha kaneeyAmsastasmAdrakShE kaneeyasam||18||
UktavAkyE munau tasminmunipatnyAm tathaiva cha|
ShunahshshEpaha swayam RAma madhyamO vAkyamabraveet||19||
PitA jyEShThamavikrEyam mAtA chAha kaneeyasam|
Vikreetam madhyamam manyE rAjanputram nayaswa mAm||20||
GavAm shatasahasrENa ShunahshshEpam nareshwaraha|
GruheetwA paramapreetO jagAma RaGhunandana||21||
AmbareeShastu rAjarShee rathamArOpya satwaraha|
ShunahshshEpam mahAtEjA jAgAmAshu mahAyashAha||22||
“Maharaja, generally, eldest child is very dear to the father and the youngest is dearest to the mother. Therefore, I have decided to protect Shunaka, my youngest son.”
Rama, after Rucheeka and his wife clearly expressed their opinion about the eldest and the youngest sons respectively, the middle son, Shunahshepa, voluntarily went to Ambareesha and said: “Maharaja, my father has said that he would not barter the eldest son and my mother has said that she would not sell tha youngest son. As a consequence of this, it is as good as stating that both of them have agreed to sell me, the middle one. You can take me with you by giving adequate value to my father.”
Neither Rucheeka nor his wife reacted to what Shunahshepa said. Immediately, Ambareesha gave one lakh cows to Rucheeka and bought Shunahshepa. Highly pleased Ambareesha then went out of the hermitage, along with Shunahshepa. Victorious Ambareesha took Shunahshepa in his chariot and moved towards his city at a great speed.
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