#Stories from the #Ramayana for #ChildrenStories 6 - Sita's Swayamvaram

Janaka Maharaja was the wise and learned king of Mithila. He was known to be a just and able ruler. Once when the king was on a mission, he heard the cry of a child. He discovered a girl child in a furrow under a ploughed field. He lifted her up and finding nobody to claim her, took her home to his queen Sunaina.  Believing her to be the child of Bhumi Devi, (Mother Earth) they adopted the child and named her Sita. Janaka and Sunaina adored Sita and brought her up with great love and care. In time, they had another daughter named Urmila, who was even more attached to Sita. Janaka’s brother had two daughters called Mandvi and Shrutakirti. The four cousins grew up together happily.

Once, when Sita was playing with her sisters she discovered a beautiful bow placed ceremoniously on a table. Being curious, she lifted the bow. Janaka, who was watching the entire incident, was stunned. Sita, a young girl had lifted the divine Shiva Dhanush, which no one had ever been able to do. He knew that his daughter was not an ordinary child. To lift the divine bow, she had to be divine too.

Years later, when Sita grew up to marriageable age, Maharaja Janaka remembered this incident and decided to make that the backdrop of her Swayamvaram.  In those days, Swayamvarams were held by royal families, and kings and princes of various regions were invited, to allow their princess to choose the man whom she wished to marry. Likewise, Janaka, realizing that only a divine and strong person could string the Shiva Dhanush, pronounced a condition for Sita’s swayamvaram.

“The man who lifts and strings the Shiva Dhanush will be offered Sita’s hand in marriage,” he announced.

Sita’s beauty was incomparable and every king or prince in the nearby kingdoms wanted to marry her. Since invitations for the Swayamvaram had been sent far and wide, all the Kings and Princes were expected to assemble in Mithila. The same invitation had been given to Sage Vishwamitra. He accepted the invitation and went to Mithila with Rama and Lakshmana. He was received with great respect and humility by the Janaka Maharaja, who personally led him to the dwelling allotted for the Sage. In the evening Sage Vishwamitra sent Rama and Lakshmana to collect flowers for his nitya puja.

While they were plucking the beautiful flowers in the pushpa vatika, Sita and her sisters were going for worship at the nearby Gowri Mata temple. Rama’s glance fell on Sita and at once he was attracted by her incredible beauty. Lakshmana noticed Rama’s attraction and realizing that Sita was an incarnation Goddess Lakshmi, he folded his hands in humble prayer. Sita’s eyes too fell on Rama and she knew at once that Rama (the incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu) was the man she wanted to marry.  She ran towards the temple and prayed to Goddess Parvati to bless her and grant her wish that only Rama should be her husband.

The next day dawned. Kings and princes from many lands were present at the swayamvaram hall in Janaka Maharaja’s palace. It is believed that the powerful king of Lanka, Ravana, too was in attendance. One by one all the great kings and princes tried their hand at lifting the Shiva Dhanush, but failed. It was the turn of Ravana. Ravana was a devout Shiva bhakt, and the other kings expected him to life the bow. But he too tried and failed. Seeing the powerful kings fail one by one, Sita was happy. Her heart was with Rama, who was seated along with Lakshmana and Sage Vishwamitra watching the scene. But Janaka Maharaja was sad. He was wondering whether Sita would remain unmarried because of the condition that he had laid.

“Is there no one in this Sabha who can fulfill the condition for winning my daughter’s hand?” he lamented. “Is this world bereft of strong men?”

At this Lakshmana could not contain his anger. “When my brother Rama is in this Sabha, how can you even think or say such a thing?” he thundered.

“Calm down Lakshmana,” said Sage Vishwamitra.

He then spoke to the Janaka Maharaja. “These two boys with me are sons of Maharaja Dashrath of Ayodhya. They are learned, strong and wise, and have protected our yagna from terrible demons like Tataka, Subahu and Marich. So with your permission, dear Maharaja Janaka, let Rama try to string the Shiva Dhanush.”

Rama breaks Shiva Dhanush (Raja Ravi Varma [Public domain] via Wikipedia)

Janaka Maharaj looked at the Sage and nodded. Vishwamitra looked at Rama and asked him to try.

Rama took Sage Vishwamitra’s blessing, and walked up to the table where the Shiva Dhanush was placed. He gave a quick glance to Sita, who was praying to Goddess Parvati. Then Rama humbly and respectfully prostrated before the Shiva Dhanush. Lifting the divine bow with ease he strung the thread to the bow, but the force broke the bow into two with a huge sound.

At last there was a relieved smile on the face of Maharaja Janaka and his Queen Sunaina. Sita flanked by her sister and cousins, walked towards Rama with the Varmala and garlanded him shyly.  

But there was a thundering voice which stopped them. They turned to see Lord Parashuram angrily asking "Who has the temerity to break the Shiva Dhanush?"

Rama calmly answered, "I broke it."

Parashuram looks at him and realizes that Rama is Mahavishnu's avatar, and blesses the divine couple. He then leaves.

#Ayodhya #stories_for_children #Vishwamitra #Rama #Lakshmana  #Sita #Swayamvaram #Sita_swayamvar #Janaka #Sunaina #Mithila #Shiva_dhanush

A #Story for #children from #Ramayana on the strange request of Sage Vishwamitra #ChildrenStories 4

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.

#Vishwamitra #Rama #Lakshmana #Dashrath #Vasishta #Ramayana

A #story for children from the #Ramayana about Rama's childhood #ChildrenStories 3

There were festivities in Ayodhya when the four sons of Dashratha were born. Soon Sage Vasishta had to perform the naming ceremony. He thought for some time before proclaiming that Kausalya’s son would be named Rama.

“Why Rama?” he explained. “Rama means one who is everywhere or omnipresent. Because this child will always remain in the hearts of his people and give joy and happiness to everyone in the world, I am going to name him Rama.”

Maharaja Dashrath was very happy and he and his queens took the infant Rama in their hands one by one and whispered the name Rama in his ears.

Then Vasishta said, “The son of Kaikeyi will be named Bharata as he will protect everyone. The sons of Sumitra will be named Lakshmana and Shatrugna, as Lakshmana is auspicious and Shatrugna will be the destroyer of enemies.”

Vasishta being a great Sage and visionary, knew that Rama was the incarnation of Mahavishnu, Lakshmana of Adishesha, Bharata of the divine Conch and Shatrugna of the Sudarshanachakra.

Rama was the darling of everyone. Kaikeyi loved him more than her own son, and so did Sumitra.

One night as Kausalya was feeding baby Rama while showing him the moon.

“Chandamama” little Rama said pointing to the moon.

 It was full moon night and the moon was very beautiful and Rama wanted it. Kausalya first thought that he wanted more food, but when she fed him with rice he refused saying again that he wanted the moon. Kausalya did not know what to do. Rama started crying out loud that he wanted the moon.

Hearing his cries, the King and the other queens came running. When they saw that Rama wanted the moon, they were nonplussed.

‘How to bring the moon down?’ They were in a dilemma. They tried to console the child, but in vain.

Then Kaikeyi suddenly hit upon an idea. She brought a vessel filled with water from her room and showed the reflection of the moon to Rama.

Rama was happy and his laughter made everyone happy.

Rama and his brothers grew to be strong young lads and loved playing together. Lakshmana always sided with Rama, while Shatrugna went with Bharata. Being the eldest, Rama was loved and respected by all of them and they always listened to him. Once when they were playing at bringing mangoes down from the tree, Rama and Bharata both aimed at the mangoes. The person who brought down the most number of mangoes would win. The mangoes were struck down but both felt that he was the one who had hit the mango. 

Lakshmana at once started arguing on Rama’s behalf, whereas Shatrugna maintained that it was Bharata who had struck the mango down. Rama at once calmed his brothers and declared that it was Bharata who had won. This showed his selfless love for his brothers.

The children grew up a little more and were then initiated into learning by Sage Vasishta at his gurukul. They were taught archery and martial arts along with formal education. The princes were treated as equals to all other students in the gurukul. They did not have any advantages or special treatment because they were from the royal family. And Rama and his brothers were happy with their friends and gave utmost respect to their Guru, Sage Vasishta.  

#Rama #Gurukul #SageVasishta #Rama_and_the_moon #Kaikeyi #Kausalya #Bharata #Lakshmana #Shatrugna

A #Story for children from the #Ramayana on the Birth of Rama #ChildrenStories 2

Maharaja Dashrath, the King of Ayodhya, had everything that his heart desired, three beautiful wives, Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra, wealth, prosperity and happy subjects. But he had no sons to continue his lineage. The King and his queens were worried about the future of the kingdom.

They went to their Kula Guru,Sage Vasishta.

“We have everything we want in the world, but we have no children to continue our lineage. I am not going to live forever. What will happen to the people of our Ayodhya?” asked the worried King.

Sage Vasishta advised, “You can perform the puthrakameshti yagna.”

 Maharaj Dashrath immediately agreed.

 “But,” pronounced Vasishta, “There is only one person who can guide you in perfoming this yagna, and that is Sage Rishyashringa.”

As Dashrath got ready for the journey, Vasishta told him, “You and your queens have to go on foot without any encumbrage to invite the Sage.”

Dashrath agreed and soon set out to meet Sage Rishyashringa. The Sage was pleased with the humility and respect shown by the king and agreed to do the Puthrakameshti Yagna.

At the culmination of the yagna, Agnidev appeared from the sacrificial fire with a pot of kheer in his hands. He gave the pot to King Dashrath and asked him to distribute it to his queens. 

Dashrath gave one part of the Kheer to Kaushalya, another to Kaikeyi and the remaining two parts to Sumitra. They returned to Ayodhya with hope in their heart and prayer on their lips. Within a few days, all the three queens became pregnant. 

Nine months later, the King became a father to four sons. In the month of Chaitra, on the Navami day, one son was born to Kaushalya, one to Kaikeyi and two to Sumitra. Entire Ayodhya joined the king and queens in rejoicing. During the naming ceremony, Kaushalya's son was named Rama. Kaikeyi's son was named Bharat and Sumitra's twins were named Lakshman and Shatrugna.

#Ramayana #Rama #Bharat #Lakshman #Shatrugna #BirthofRama

#Ayodhya #Dashrath #Kaushalya #Kaikeyi #Sumitra 

Mythological #Story of How Lord #Ganesha was born for #ChildrenStories 1

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati lived happily in Kailas. One day when Shiva was away and Parvati was bathing in the stream, one of her friends remarked, “Shiva has Nandi as a guard. Why not have a guard solely for you?”

Parvati thought that it was a good idea as she did not want anyone to accidentally enter her abode when she was taking bath. So she took some wet turmeric in her hand and moulded it into the shape of a little boy. Then she breathed life into the image. The little boy came alive and fell at her feet. 

He asked “Mother, bless me to do whatever you want me to do.”

Parvathi lifted him up and hugged him in a tight embrace.

“Son, you have to guard my abode. Make sure that you do not allow anyone to enter without my permission.”

“Sure, I will, Mother,” replied the boy and took his place in front of the house.

Happy and secure in the thought that she had someone to take care of her needs exclusively, Parvati continued with her routine.

Time passed and Shiva returned. When he was about to enter, the boy stopped him.

“Please move aside and let me enter,” said Shiva.

“No. My mother has ordered me to not let anyone inside,” answered the boy.

Shiva tried to cajole and persuade the boy but to no avail. The boy stubbornly obstructed his way.

Becoming furious, Shiva ordered Nandi and the other Ganas to remove him from there. They picked up their weapons to fight, but the boy fought bravely and none of them could match his strength. He defeated all of them.

Shiva’s anger knew no bounds. He lifted his trident and cut off the boy’s head.

Hearing the commotion outside, Parvati came running outside. She was devastated to see her the lifeless form of her son.

“Do you know whom you have killed?” she cried. “He is our son. You have to bring him to life again.”

Shiva was moved by her profound grief and sorrow and asked his Ganas to search for the severed head of the boy which had been thrown too far away by the force of the trident. The Ganas could not find the head.

“You killed my son. Now you have to restore him,” demanded Parvati vehemently.

Knowing that time was the essence, Shiva after consulting Brahma, asked the Ganas to bring the head of the first living being that they came across  in the North direction. The Ganas found an elephant. They cut his head and brought it to Lord Shiva. Shiva joined the elephant head to the body of his slain son and made him alive. Parvati hugged her son in relief, but seeing his elephant head, she was concerned that everyone would make fun of him. To appease her, Shiva ordained that his son would be the leader of the Ganas and would be named Ganapati. He would be worshiped before the commencement of worship of any other God.

Thus was born Ganesha, the wise and mighty son of Shiva and Parvati.

 #birth_of_Ganesha #Mythology #Story_for_children #Shiva #Parvati