The Ramayana

by Valmiki

  Viśvāmitra agreed and messengers were dispatched to Ayodhyā to give Daśaratha the good news and escort him to Mithilā.

  The messengers wore out their horses as they travelled without stopping for three days and nights until they entered the city of Ayodhyā. On the strength of their master’s message, they were able to gain entry into the royal chambers where they saw the venerable old King Daśaratha who was like a god. Respectfully joining their palms, they spoke to the king in sweet voices. ‘Janaka, the king of Mithilā, along with his teachers and elders, asks after your welfare. With deep affection and solicitude, he asks about everyone in your family. The king of the Videhas sends you this message with Viśvāmitra’s permission.

  ‘“As you already know, long ago, I made a vow that I would give my daughter away for valour. Because of this, I drove away many cowardly kings. My daughter has now been won by your brave son who came here by chance in the entourage of Viśvāmitra. Rāma snapped the divine bow in half in the midst of a huge assembly. I will give my daughter Sītā, who was to be won by valour alone, to Rāma and fulfil my promise. I seek your agreement in this matter. Great king, may good fortune attend you! Come to Mithilā as soon as possible along with your elders and your family priest. You will give me great pleasure and you will be delighted to see your sons again.”

  ‘This is the message that Janaka sends you with Viśvāmitra’s permission and his family priest’s support,’ said the messengers.

  Daśaratha was delighted with the news. He summoned Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva and his other ministers. ‘Rāma, Kausalyā’s beloved son, has been in Videha with his brother Lakṣmaṇa and the sage Viśvāmitra. King Janaka has seen Rāma’s strength and courage and wishes to bestow his daughter Sītā on Rāma in marriage. If this news pleases you, let us go to Videha quickly without wasting another moment!’ The ministers and sages agreed with the king’s plan and Daśaratha announced that they would leave the next day. Janaka’s messengers spent the night in Ayodhyā in great comfort, supplied with all that they could desire.

  Chapter Eleven

  When the night had passed, Daśaratha joyfully gave his minister Sumantra instructions in the presence of his teachers and elders. ‘Let the officers of the treasury go ahead of us, well-guarded. Let them carry vast quantities of wealth and all kinds of jewels. Call in the four-divisioned army from all its stations at once and ready the best of our chariots when I give the order. Let Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, Jābāli, Kaśyapa, Mārkaṇḍeya Kātyāyana and all the brahmins leave before us. Prepare my chariot immediately so that there is no delay. The king’s messengers are in a hurry!’

  The four-divisioned army accompanied the king as he set out with the great sages. After travelling for four days, the entourage reached the land of the Videhas. As soon as Janaka heard about Daśaratha’s arrival, he prepared to meet the great king himself with full honours. Janaka’s joy knew no bounds as he approached the old King Daśaratha. His heart filled with delight, he addressed the best of kings. ‘Welcome, great king! Your presence here makes us fortunate. Rejoice in the valour of your sons. It is also a great honour to have the blessed Vasiṣṭha here with all the other brahmins.

  ‘Fortunately, I have been able to overcome all obstacles with the sacrifice that I have undertaken. It is a privilege for my clan to make an alliance with the mighty Ikṣvākus! We must perform the wedding ceremony tomorrow morning since the great sages have said that it must be done at the end of the sacrifice.’

  The eloquent and wise Daśaratha replied, ‘I have been told before that the manner in which gifts are received depends upon the giver and so we shall do as you wish!’ This humble speech from Daśaratha who was illustrious, righteous and honourable filled Janaka’s heart with wonder.

  The groups of sages were happy to be in each others company and they passed the night in easy companionship. King Daśaratha was overjoyed to see his sons again and, suitably honoured by Janaka, he spent the night in comfort and happiness. Janaka knew all that needed to be done and he spent the night performing all the rituals connected with the sacrifice and those necessary for the wedding of his daughter.

  The next morning, Janaka completed his ablutions and instructed his family priest Śatānanda in the presence of all the sages. ‘My illustrious brother Kuśadhvaja is exceedingly righteous. He lives in the city of Sāmkāśyā whose walls are washed by the waters of the river Ikṣavatī. It is as beautiful as the flying chariot Puṣpaka* and as auspicious as a store of meritorious acts. I wish to see my brother now so that he can help me with the rituals and share in my happiness.’

  Janaka’s messengers went quickly to Kuśadhvaja’s city to summon him as Viṣṇu had been summoned to Indra’s court. Kuśadhvaja arrived and honoured his brother, the great-souled king, and the priest Śatānanda before he seated himself on a splendid throne. The two brothers of limitless effulgence summoned Sudamana, the chief minister, and ordered him to escort Daśaratha, his sons and his ministers into the city.

  Sudamana went to Daśaratha’s camp and bowed to him. ‘Great king of Ayodhyā, the king of the Videhas wishes to see you along with your teachers and family priest!’ Daśaratha went to Janaka’s court with his entourage and addressed the king. ‘I am sure you know that our family sees the blessed Vasiṣṭha as a god and that he speaks for us in all matters. With Viśvāmitra’s permission and in the presence of all these great sages, he will now announce my ancestry.’

  The eloquent Vasiṣṭha began to speak directly to Janaka and Śatānanda. ‘Brahmā, the eternal and imperishable, arose from the unmanifest. From him came Marīci whose son was Kaśyapa. Vivasvān was born to Kaśyapa and his son was the progenitor Manu. Manu’s first son was Ikṣvāku. Ikṣvāku was the first king of Ayodhyā and his son was the prosperous king Kukṣi. Kukṣi’s son was the effulgent Vikukṣi and his son was the mighty Bāṇa and his son was the valiant Anaraṇya.

  ‘Anaraṇya’s son was Pṛthu and Pṛthu’s son was Triśanku and his son was the illustrious Dhundhumāra. Dhundhumāra’s son was the famous chariot-warrior Yuvanāśva and his son was the prosperous Māndhātā, ruler of the earth. Māndhātā’s son was the fortunate Susandhi and he had two sons named Dhruvasandhi and Prasenajit. Prasenajit’s son was Bharata and the effulgent Asita was Bharata’s son.

  ‘Asita’s son was Sagara whose son was Asamanja whose son was Anśuman. Anśumān’s son was Dilīpa and his son was Bhagīratha and his son was Kākutstha whose son was Raghu. Raghu’s son was the effulgent Pravṛddha who became Kalmāṣapāda, the eater of men, and his son was Śankhana. Sudarśana was born to Śankhana and Agnivarṇa was born to Sudarśana. Agnivarma’s son was Maru.

  ‘Maru’s son was Praśuśruka and his son was Ambarīṣa and his son was Nahuṣa, ruler of the earth. Nahuṣa’s son was Yayāti and his son was Nabhaga and his son was Ajā whose son is Daśaratha. Daśaratha’s sons are the brothers Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa. These two boys are born in a pure line of kings who are known for their righteousness, their courage and their devotion to truth. Give your daughters to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa and you will be giving them to those who are worthy of them!’

  ‘May good fortune attend you! Now I will recite my ancestry!’ said Janaka. ‘Great sage, a man must provide the complete history of his family when he gives away a child in marriage, so listen!

  ‘There was once a king who was famous in the three worlds on the strength of his own deeds. His name was Nimi and he was the very soul of dharma, the best of all honourable men. He had a son named Mithi whose son was the first Janaka. That Janaka’s son was Udāvasu. The virtuous Udāvasu had a son named Nandivardhana and his son was the renowned Suketu. The righteous Suketu’s son was the mighty Devarāta and his son became the royal sage Bṛhadratha.

  ‘Bṛhadratha’s son was the mighty Mahāvīra and his son was the valiant Sudhṛti. His son was the righteous Dhṛṣṭaketu and his son became famous as the royal sage Haryaśva. Haryaśva’s son was Maru and Maru’s son was Pratindhaka and his son was t
he honourable king Kīrtiratha. His son was Devamīḍha whose son was Vibudha whose son was Mahīdhraka. Mahīdhraka’s son was the great king Kīrtirāta and his son was the royal sage Mahāroma. Mahāroma’s son was Suvarṇaroma and his son was Hrasvaroma. Hrasvaroma had two sons. I am the older son and my younger brother here is the valiant Kuśadhvaja.

  ‘My father made me king because I was older. He entrusted my brother to my care and went into the forest to meditate and perform austerities. When my father died, I bore the weight of this kingdom and looked after my younger brother, handsome as a god, with great affection. Some years later, the mighty king Sudhanva of Sāmkāśyā laid siege to Mithilā. He ordered me to hand Śiva’s splendid bow as well as my daughter, the lotus-eyed Sītā, over to him. When I refused, he declared war on me. I killed him in single combat and then I appointed my younger brother, Kuśadhvaja, king of Sāmkāśyā.

  ‘May good fortune attend you! Today, I give you my two daughters as brides with the deepest of affection—Sītā, my daughter who is as beautiful as a divine being, who was won by valour, for Rāma and Urmilā, my second daughter, for Lakṣmaṇa. I confirm three times that I give you my daughters with joyous heart, O king!

  ‘Let Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa begin the distribution of cows that will make the ancestors happy and let us get on with the preparations for the wedding. Today, the Maghā constellation prevails. In three days, Phalguni will be in the ascendant. That will be the best day for the ceremony. Meanwhile, let Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa start distributing the gifts that will ensure their happiness!’

  ‘Best of men, the clans of Janaka and Daśaratha are matched beyond all expectation. None other can equal them,’ said Viśvāmitra. ‘Rāma and Sītā, Lakṣmaṇa and Urmilā, are matched in virtue and in beauty. There is one more thing that I would like to add. Kuśadhvaja, your younger brother, is a righteous king and he has two daughters who are unrivalled on earth for their beauty. Let them marry prince Bharata and the wise Śatrughna. The other two sons of Daśaratha are like the guardians of the worlds in their looks and they are equal to the gods in valour. Let the two families be united through this alliance as well, best of kings!’

  Janaka saw that Vasiṣṭha agréed with Viśvāmitra’s proposal and so he joined his palms in respect and said to the two sages, ‘May good fortune attend you! I am delighted that this suggestion has come from you. Let Kuśadhvaja’s daughters be given as wives to Bharata and Śatrughna, for then the alliance between our clans will be strengthened! All four couples shall be married on the same day, the one determined by the wise as best for marriages.’

  Bowing to the two great sages, Janaka spoke further. ‘You have made it possible for me to fulfil my highest duty and for that I shall be your disciple forever. Take these seats of honour. Like Daśaratha’s Ayodhyā, my city is also open to you. You can do as you please here!’

  Daśaratha was also very pleased with the new alliances. ‘Both you brothers, lords of Mithilā, have innumerable virtues and you have honoured all the sages and royal attendants appropriately. May good fortune and prosperity attend you always! I will now return to my camp and begin the necessary ceremonies.’

  Led by the sages, Daśaratha left Janaka’s court and returned to his camp where he embarked on the various rituals that preceded the wedding ceremony. He rose at dawn the following day and, according to prescription, he distributed one hundred thousand cows for each of his four sons. The cows had gilded horns and each of them had a calf and produced huge quantities of milk. Because he loved his sons so dearly, he also gave all kinds of other gifts to the brahmins. Surrounded by his four sons, Daśaratha was as resplendent as Prajāpati surrounded by the guardians of the quarters.

  On the day of the gift giving, the valiant Yudhājit arrived to see Daśaratha. Yudhājit was the son of the king of the Kekayas and he was Bharata’s maternal uncle. ‘The king of the Kekayas asks after your health with great affection,’ he said to Daśaratha. ‘All is well with those whose welfare you desire. The king wished to see my sister’s son and so I went to Ayodhyā. When I got there, I heard that you were here in Mithilā for the weddings of your sons. I came here as soon as I could to see my nephew.’ Daśaratha welcomed his beloved guest and honoured him appropriately and then he spent the night with his sons.

  The next morning, at the appointed hour, Daśaratha was led by the sages to the sacred area. Rāma and his brothers, adorned with jewels, came there at the auspicious moment and took their wives by the hand and walked around the sacred fires. They circumambulated the kings and sages as they went through the prescribed rituals for marriage. Bright flowers rained down from the heavens and the air was filled with the sound of celestial drums, music and song. The wedding was particularly wonderful because all the gandharvas sang and the apsarases danced as the princes walked around the fire with their wives under the gaze of the sages and their loving families.

  Chapter Twelve

  The next morning, Viśvāmitra bade the kings farewell and left for the northern mountains. Soon after that, Daśaratha made preparations to leave for Ayodhyā. Janaka sent his daughters away along with a great deal of wealth, one hundred thousand cows, fabulous carpets, textiles and fabrics as well as an army of horses, elephants and chariots, adorned with jewels and shining with celestial splendour. He also gave them the best of his male and female attendants and heaps of gold, silver, pearls and coral. His heart filled with joy, Janaka said goodbye to Daśaratha and returned to his royal apartments.

  Daśaratha, his four sons and their huge army went onwards, led by a group of sages. Huge birds screeched as they travelled and forest animals ran around them before fleeing. Daśaratha was deeply disturbed when he saw this and asked Vasiṣṭha, ‘Why are these birds screeching and these animals running away from us? Why is my heart pounding and my mind oppressed by a nameless fear?’

  In a calm and soothing voice, Vasiṣṭha reassured the king. ‘Listen and I will explain this to you. The screeching of the birds foretells great danger but the movement of the animals is a good omen, so do not be overly anxious.’ Even as Vasiṣṭha was speaking, a mighty gale arose and the earth trembled so that all the leaves fell from their trees. The sun was enveloped in darkness and nothing could be seen in any direction. Everything was covered with a fine layer of dust and ashes.

  Daśaratha, his sons, Vasiṣṭha and the other sages grew agitated. Their army, covered with ash, was in visible confusion and the other members of their entourage had fainted. And then, out of that terrible darkness, Paraśurāma appeared,* awesome in his vengeful aspect. As immense and immovable as Mount Kailāsa, the killer of kings blazed with his own splendour and was as difficult to look upon as the doomsday fire. His matted locks were coiled on top of his head and he carried his axe on his shoulder. With his mighty bow, which was like a bolt of lightning, and his arrows, he appeared like Śiva out to destroy Tripura.**

  Vasiṣṭha and the other sages began to recite sacred mantras when they saw this terrifying sight and they whispered amongst themselves. ‘Could it be that Paraśurāma’s anger at his father’s murder has not cooled? But he has already destroyed the entire race of kṣatriyas in the past to calm his passion and bring peace to his mind! Surely he does not want to annihilate the kṣatriyas all over again!’ Cautiously, they offered Paraśurāma the arghya and spoke to him in gentle tones, calling him ‘Rāma’.

  Paraśurāma, son of Jamadāgni, acknowledged their greeting. He turned to Rāma, son of Daśaratha, and said, ‘Rāma, I have heard much about your uncommon valour! And I have also heard that you broke the jewelled bow, a truly wondrous and unthinkable feat. Now I have brought you another fabulous bow, awesome to behold, that belongs to Jamadāgni, my father. I have tested your might, now I will engage you in single combat so that I can see your courage!’

  Daśaratha turned pale when he heard Paraśurāma’s challenge. He joined his palms in respect and pleaded with Paraśurāma. ‘You have already wreaked revenge on the kṣatriyas. You are an illustrious bra
hmin and should be offering my young sons protection! Born in the line of the famous sage Bhṛgu, you have studied the Vedas and have undertaken a great many terrible vows. You renounced the use of all weapons because of a promise that you made to Indra. You yoked yourself to the highest dharma when you gave the earth away to Kaśyapa and made your home in the wilds of Mount Mahendra. Great sage, why do you wish to destroy my clan? None of us will survive, even if only Rāma is killed!’

  The mighty Paraśurāma ignored Daśaratha’s plea and spoke to Rāma again. ‘There are two celestial bows that are famous in all the worlds. Superior to all others, they are tough and strong and were crafted specially by Viśvakarmā. The bow you broke was given to Śiva by the gods and he used it to destroy Tripura. The one I have is the second of these indestructible bows and the gods gave it to Viṣṇu. It is the equal of Śiva’s bow in every respect.

  ‘The gods asked Brahmā who was stronger, Viṣṇu or Śiva. Brahmā, the best of all those who are devoted to truth, understood the intentions of the gods and so he created hostility between Viṣṇu and Śiva. The conflict that arose between the two was terrifying as both Viṣṇu and Śiva were determined to humble the other. An enormous war-cry from Viṣṇu unstrung Śiva’s bow and the great god was stopped in his tracks, stunned. Then the gods, the ṛṣis and the cāraṇas begged Viṣṇu and Śiva to stop their fight and the hostility between them ended. The gods deemed Viṣṇu the superior of the two because he had destroyed Śiva’s bow. In a fit of anger, Śiva gave his bow and arrows to the illustrious royal sage Devarāta, king of the Videhas.