After finishing their
learning at the gurukul, Rama and his brothers returned to the palace.
Maharaja
Dashrath and his queens were delighted. They poured affection and love on the
children and were enjoying their company to the maximum.
One day, Sage Vishwamitra
arrived in Ayodhya. Maharaja Dashrath went personally to receive and welcome
him to his kingdom. He washed Vishwamitra’s feet in reverance and accompanied
him to the palace. Sage Vasishta who was present, also stood up reverently and
welcomed Vishwamitra Maharishi.
“Oh revered Maharishi
Vishwamitra! Your sacred feet have enhanced the honour of our country. Your
respected presence in our palace has made the entire Ayodhya sacred,” said
Maharaja Dashrath, while welcoming the Sage into the palace court.
Vishwamitra
acknowledged the respectful welcome of the King.
After ensuring that
the Sage had been seated comfortably, the King went up to him and enquired,
“Tell me, what can I do for you?”
“Are you sure that
you will give me what I want?” asked Vishwamitra.
“If it is in my
capacity, I promise that I will offer you whatever you require,” answered
Dashrath.
“I will not take no
for an answer anyway,” said the Sage. “I want Rama and Lakshmana to accompany
me to the forest. We are doing yagnas for the wellbeing of the world, but there
are two demons who disrupt our yagnas. I need Rama and Lakshmana to defeat
those demons so that we can complete our yagnas in peace.”
Maharaja Dashrath was
stunned. He had never expected such a request from the Sage. The children had
just come back home after a few years of stay and learning at the gurukul. How
could he part with his beloved Rama again? How would the queen mothers take it?
Dashrath mind was floundering for an answer to the Sage.
Vishwamitra waited
for a few seconds. Then he got up and said angrily, “Maharaja Dashrath, I
thought you were a man who stood by his word. You promised me that you would
give me what I want. Then why are you not answering?”
Dashrath pleaded with
the Sage, “Maharishi, Rama and Lakshmana are too young to fight with demons.
Let me accompany you and I assure you that I will fight with those demons. I
will see that you are allowed to perform your yagnas in peace.”
The Sage refused to
listen. “I don’t want you. I want Rama and Lakshmana. If you cannot give them,
let me leave. I don’t want anything else,” he exclaimed angrily.
Knowing the effect of
the anger of Sage Vishwamitra, Vasishta came forward.
“Maharaja Dashrath,
You speak like this because you are not aware of the real caliber of Rama and
Lakshmana. As a Guru, I can vouch for their exceptional power and capability.
And though I have taught them whatever I could, by being with Brahmarishi
Vishwamitra, who has so much more knowledge to impart and so many divine
asthras in his repertoire, they can acquire much more gyaan.”
Listening to the words of his Kulaguru Vasishta, Dashrath gave in and
sent for Rama and Lakshmana.
Vishwamitra was waiting for this moment when he
could set his eyes on the Lord. When Rama and Lakshmana came in, Vishwamitra
drew in his breath. They were looking so innocent, so handsome.
“Father, you called
for us?” asked Rama softly.
Dashrath’s eyes were
moist. “Yes. I called for you both. This is Sage Vishwamitra,” he said.
The boys folded their
palms and greeted the Sage with respect.
“My dear sons,” said
Dashrath. “Maharishi Vishwamitra wants you both to accompany him to the forest
and protect his yagna from demons.”
“That will be a
blessing for us,” said Rama.
Vishwamitra looked at
them with great affection.
The queens by then had heard of Vishwamitra’s
strange request. They came running to plead with the Sage to allow the boys to
remain in the palace. But Rama managed to placate them.
Dashrath said, “Rama,
Lakshmana! From now, till you come back here, Maharishi Vishwamitra will
be your father, mother and Guru. Follow his orders as you would follow mine.”
“Yes Father,”
answered both Rama and Lakshmana.
They slung their bows
over their shoulders and the quiver of arrows on their backs and followed the
Sage into the forest.
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