Early
Life of Ram
Prologue
Valmiki is known as Adi Kabi, the first poet. He wrote an epic
in Sanskrit, the Ramayana, which depicts the life of Rama, the hero of the
story.
Telling the story of Rama at this time of the year bears a special
significance. The present day celebration of Durga worship (puja)
and Dasshera are related to Rama's life. The traditional Durga
worship was performed in the spring season now known as Basanti
puja. Rama worshipped the divine mother Durga and prayed to her to
give him the strength to slay Ravana. Ravana was slain on the day of
Dasshera, the tenth day of Navaratri. The coronation of Rama was
held on the Dewali day, the following New moon day, that comes about three
weeks after Dasshera.
The feature story
Dasharatha was the king of Kosala, an ancient
kingdom that was located in present day Uttar Pradesh. Ayodhya was its
capital. Dasharatha was loved by one and all. His subjects were happy
and his kingdom was prosperous. Even though Dasharatha had everything
that he desired, he was very sad at heart; he had no children.
During the same time, there lived a powerful Rakshasa king in
the island of Ceylon, located just south of India. He was called Ravana.
His tyranny knew no bounds, his subjects disturbed the prayers of holy
men.
The childless Dasharatha was advised by his family priest Vashishtha to
perform a fire sacrifice ceremony to seek the blessings of God for
children. Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, decided to manifest
himself as the eldest son of Dasharatha in order to kill Ravana. While
performing the fire worship ceremony, a majestic figure rose from the
sacrificial fire and handed to Dasharatha a bowl of rice pudding, saying,
"God is pleased with you and has asked you to distribute this rice pudding
(payasa) to your wives - they will soon bear your children."
The king received the gift joyfully and distributed the payasa
to his three queens, Kausalya, Kaikeyi, and Sumitra. Kausalya, the eldest
queen, gave birth to the eldest son Rama. Bharata, the second son was
born to Kaikeyi and Sumitra gave birth to the twins Lakshmana and Shatrughna.
Rama's birthday is celebrated now as Ramanavami.
The four princes grew up to be tall, strong, handsome, and brave. Of
the four brothers, Rama was closest to Lakshmana and Bharata to
Shatrughna. One day, the revered sage Viswamitra came to Ayodhya.
Dasharatha was overjoyed and immediately got down from his throne and
received him with great honor.
Viswamitra blessed Dasharatha and asked him to send Rama to kill the
Rakshasas who were disturbing his fire sacrifice. Rama was then
only fifteen years old. Dasharatha was taken aback. Rama was too young for
the job. He offered himself, but sage Viswamitra knew better. The sage
insisted upon his request and assured the king that Rama would be safe in
his hands. Ultimately, Dasharatha agreed to send Rama, along with
Lakshmana, to go with Viswamitra. Dasharatha strictly ordered his sons to
obey Rishi Viswamitra and fulfill all his wishes. The parents blessed the
two young princes. They then departed with the sage (Rishi).
The party of Viswamitra, Rama, and Lakshmana soon reached Dandaka
forest where the Rakshasi Tadaka lived with her son Maricha.
Viswamitra asked Rama to challenge her. Rama strung his bow and twanged
the string. The wild animals ran helter-skelter in fear. Tadaka heard the
sound and she became incensed. Mad with rage, roaring thunderously, she
rushed at Rama. A fierce battle ensued between the huge Rakshasi and Rama.
Finally, Rama pierced her heart with a deadly arrow and Tadaka crashed
down to the earth. Viswamitra was pleased. He taught Rama several
Mantras (divine chants), with which Rama could summon many divine
weapons (by meditation) in order to fight against evil
Viswamitra then proceeded, with Rama and Lakshmana, towards his
ashram. When they started the fire sacrifice, Rama and Lakshmana
were guarding the place. Suddenly Maricha, Tadaka's ferocious son, arrived
with his followers. Rama silently prayed and discharged the newly acquired
divine weapons at Maricha. Maricha was thrown many, many miles away into
the sea. All other demons were slain by Rama and Lakshmana. Viswamitra
completed the sacrifice and the sages rejoiced and blessed the princes.
The next morning, Viswamitra, Rama, and Lakshmana headed towards the
city of Mithila, the capital of the kingdom of Janaka. King Janaka invited
Viswamitra to attend the great fire sacrifice ceremony that he had
arranged. Viswamitra had something in mind - to get Rama married to the
lovely daughter of Janaka.
Janaka was a saintly king. He received a bow from Lord Siva. It was
strong and heavy.
He wanted his beautiful daughter Sita to marry the bravest and
strongest prince in the country. So he had vowed that he would give Sita
in marriage only to the one who could string that great bow of Siva. Many
had tried before. None could even move the bow, let alone string it.
When Viswamitra arrived with Rama and Lakshmana
at the court, King Janaka received them with great respect. Viswamitra
introduced Rama and Lakshmana to Janaka and requested that he show the
bow of Siva to Rama so that he could try to string it. Janaka looked at
the young prince and assented doubtfully. The bow was stored in an iron
box mounted on an eight-wheeled chariot. Janaka ordered his men to bring
the bow and place it in the middle of a big hall filled with many dignitaries.
Rama then stood up in all humility, picked up the bow with ease, and
got ready for the stringing. He placed one end of the bow against his toe,
put forth his might, and bent the bow to string it-when to everyone's
surprise the bow snapped in two! Sita was relieved. She had liked Rama
right at the first sight.
Dasharatha was immediately informed. He gladly gave his consent to the
marriage and came to Mithila with his retinue. Janaka arranged for a grand
wedding. Rama and Sita were married. At the same time, the three other
brothers were also provided with brides. Lakshmana married Sita's sister
Urmila. Bharata and Shatrughna married Sita's cousins Mandavi and Shrutakirti.
After the wedding, Viswamitra blessed them all and left for the Himalayas
to meditate. Dasharatha returned to Ayodhya with his sons and their new
brides. People celebrated the marriage with great pomp and show.
Religion
