"It pleases me to hear those words from you, " said Vishwamitra. "How can I help? No wish is too great to ask," the king responded. The sage said, "I have come to ask you a favor." One day the sage, or wise man, Vishwamitra came to Ayodhya to see the king.
He did not say it in so many words, but he did have a special place in his heart for Rama. He enjoyed watching his sons grow before his eyes. They were devoted to the welfare of others. It was as if they were one life in two bodies.Īll four sons grew to be intelligent men. Their names were Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna.Įven as infants, everyone noticed that Rama and Lakshmana were inseparable. There was great rejoicing in the city when four sons were born to their king. No sooner had his wives finished, than each shone with the glow of a divine being in their womb. The king gave each of his wives part of the drink. It is a boon that will bring sons." Then the messenger disappeared. The messenger said, "Give each of the three wives this drink. Vishnu sent a messenger to king Dasharatha with payasam, a sweet made of milk and rice. The gods and holy men were pleased with his decision. Vishnu decided to be born as a human who could kill Ravana. He failed to protect himself from humans and monkeys." Vishnu thought, "Ravana, in his arrogance, protected himself only from those beings whom he thought could hurt him. How then, Vishnu wondered, could Ravana be stopped? This boon protected him from gods and demons. But what? Years ago Ravana was granted a boon, or promise. Learning of Ravana's actions, Vishnu, the protector of the universe, decided it was time to do something. This was a terrible insult to all who were holy. But he was using his power to prevent the gods and holy men from performing sacred rituals. I shall perform a sacred rite to please the gods."Įxcited by this wonderful news, the king ran to tell his three wives Sumitra, Kaikeyi, and Kausalya, "I will have sons!"Īt the same moment many of the gods were growing more and more angry with Ravana, the ruler of the rakshasas, or demons.
He replied, "Dasharatha, you will have sons. The priest knew all too well that his king needed to have a son. I long for a son, a son who will take my place on the throne." One day the king called upon his priest Vasistha. He was getting old and he had no son to inherit his throne. Everyone had faith in God and read the scriptures daily. The people of Ayodhya were peace loving and happy. For protection, the city was surrounded by a great moat. Spires of great temples rose above the city as if to touch the sky. In the city there were magnificent palaces decorated with precious stones. On the banks of the Sarayu River stood the beautiful city of Ayodhya, the capital of Kosala. Click here for the illustrated version of Ramayan
0 kommentar(er)
