(In this episode, king Janaka implores Vishwamitra to make Rama pick
the bow and keep up the pledge he (Janaka) had taken. Please read, comment and
share. SDN)
King Janaka continues his explanation of Shiva Dhanus: “Whoever lifts
this bow, tie the string and check the tension of that string by pulling it
will be either equal to Lord Rudra or more powerful than Lord Rudra. Persons with the strength that is lesser than
that of Rudra cannot lift the bow. Therefore, I proclaimed a pledge that anyone
willing to marry my daughter should first tie the string to connect the ends of
this bow.
A suspicion arose in my mind that the kings incapable of lifting the
bow might jointly attack me and take away my daughter forcibly. I did penance to
propitiate Lord Brahma. Impressed by my penance, Lord Brahma bestowed a boon
that none would be able to abduct her. My pledge instantly spread across the
universe like sunlight.
Driven by the desire to have Seetha as wife, all the kings came here,
and returned immediately, after seeing the bow. A few kings went close to the
bow but departed without touching it. Some retreated after touching it with
their hands. A few tried to shake it and some fled away by seeing other kings
returning to their kingdoms. Some kings tried their best to lift the bow but
failed. Sweat oozed out of their body like a stream and losing their
consciousness, they fell on the ground. If this was the fate of Ravana, then it
is hard to imagine what would have happened to other kings. Thus, all those who
thought they were next to none in terms of strength, returned with empty hands.
Once again, all of them joined together and came here to forcibly take
away my daughter. They kept on fighting for one year, when all my weapons got
exhausted. Thanks to the four-pronged forces sent by the deities and the boon
bestowed by Brahma, we defeated them. They fled the scene once again.
Oh sage Vishwamitra! May Sri Rama keep up my oath! I will have the bow brought
here. Let Rama take the bow by hand, tie the string and let Seetha marry Sri
Rama. Later, let Seetha follow Sri Rama like the pleasant lustre follows Moon
and brightness follows the Sun.” Vishwamitra, after hearing those words, asked
Janaka to have the bow brought to where Rama was seated.
As instructed by the king, five thousand strong soldiers brought the
box containing the bow with great difficulty. Vishwamitra requested Rama to
pick up the box and tie the string. Pronouncing the paradigm “Om”, Sri Rama
stood up and went near the box of bow.
When he walked, the gleam of jewels that adorned his ears spread on his
cheeks and enhanced his charm. All the women who had gathered in that enchanting
hall looked at Sri Rama, who, with a blue complexion, was like an ocean of
beauty and charm. People in that august assemblage spoke among themselves: “Kausalya
is indeed luckiest for bearing such a charming son. King Dasharatha too is very
lucky. Poets say that Lord Brahma must have collected all the beautiful organs
in the universe and created Rama with them. It is a truism because any creation
of Brahma cannot be as charming as Rama. It is therefore pertinent to say that
this charming gem of purest ray serene must have appeared on earth in human
form as Rama to make the people happy. Like Goddess Lakshmi emerged out of the
cosmic ocean of milk during Great Churning, Seetha too emerged from the Earth.
Therefore, she is not a common woman. She is the most revered on earth and a mystic
and divine gem that cannot be created in the normal way.” (Rama breaking the
bow in the next episode. SDN)
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