RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN
CHAPTER 10
RISHYASRINGA—THE INNOCENT –(Continued)
When he was questioned thus, Sumantara went on, “The Priests spoke to the king through his ministers, “Follow our advice and you will have your wish. That ascetic has never been out of his native forests. He faithfully discharges his duties. And he studies regularly. These duties take up all his time. The face of a woman is a new sight to him. He does not know her nature. He did not know her ways and wiles. That her looks send liquid fire in a man’s veins. We will cloud his senses with sweet music, fine perfumes, delicious food, flowery touch that captivate the eye. We are sure to bring him over here. Make up your mind to follow our plan. Send lovely courtesans on this business. Bribe him well by rich presents of silk and clothes. And they can never fail to have him at their heels” “Do as seems to you best” said the king. They gave the ministers to give instructions to the courtesans
Accordingly, the girls went to the forest. And they hung about the cottage of Vibhandaka. They lay in wait for a chance to meet his son alone. The young man rarely left his cottage. He was engrossed in attendance upon his father.
As misfortune would have it, one day he came out of his residence or abode. He went to the very place where the courtesans were. They joyfully approached him. With alluring smiles, they cooed to him their welcome. “Holy one, who are you? And how is it that you make this forest your home?”
The courtesans very forms and features were new to him. He replied, “Lovely beings! I am the son of the holy Vibhandaka. And he calls me Rishysringa. There is my cottage. I would be delighted to receive you there. And I would give you the best welcome.”
The girls smiled their assent. There at his cottage, he gave them water to wash and drink. He gave them delicious fruits and roots to drink and eat. They received them with joyful thanks. They were desirous to leave the cottage before the terrible Vihbndaka returned. They said, “Fair sir you will not refuse the fruits we have brought for you.” They offered him every variety of fruits and delicacies. He partook of with unconcealed desire. For never before he had seen such wonderfully sweet fruits.
Then the girls danced with the man. The girls then took leave of him. “Holy sir, allow us to depart to our homes. For we are nearing the hour of worship.”
The young man’s senses were in a swirl. He had never seen such heavenly forms. their sight had sent a molten lava through his veins. He yearned for the moment when he will set eyes on them again. He stood distraught, spiritless then he went back to his lonely cell. He had for long meditated upon their beauteous forms. After a moment, the restlessness took possession of him. He came to the place he first met them and eagerly looked at the road they took.
They did not fail him. They insisted upon his returning their visit. “You will find nicer fruits than we gave you and you can be sure of a warmer welcome at our hemitage”
He took their words for gospel truth and went with them. The moment his feet touched the soil of Anga Great Indira’s wrath was gone. And the rain burst over the land and drenched the thirsty fields.
And the people rejoiced at that. The king met his visitor and welcomed him. “Holy one! May I beg your pardon for having made you visit my kingldom? May I pray of you to save me from the terrible wrath of your father? Rishyasringa did not disappoint him.
And Romapada took him to his palace and joyfully gave him his daughter, Santa, for a wife.
The sage lived thereafter with them. His least wishes were anticipated and every desire of his heart gratified.
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